SANTA CLARA, Calif. -- The best start in the program's Division I history rolls on as the No. 60-ranked Sacramento State women's tennis team won eight of the nine matches on the day en route to a 7-0 shutout of host Santa Clara on Saturday afternoon at the Degheri Tennis Center.

The Hornets improved to 7-0 overall on the season, recording their second shutout of the year following a blanking of Pacific back on Jan. 26. The Broncos fell to 6-4.

Sacramento State jumped out to the quick 1-0 lead in the match following a pair of dominant doubles performances at the No. 1 and No. 2 positions. The tandem of Weronika Ejsmont and Palina Saulevich opened with a 6-2 victory at the top spot, while the duo of Maddy Ferreros and Irene Riva, who was making her season debut coming back from injury, took home a 6-3 victory at No. 2 to clinch the point.

From that point on, it was all Hornets. Elena Mercioiu was the first off in singles with a 6-4, 6-0, win over Juliette Krumholz at No. 5, and Lou Baudouin followed with a straight-set, 6-2, 6-4, win over Tian Yu Dong at No. 2 to make it 3-0.

Saulevich then came through with the singles clincher for the first time this season, defeating Jamie Pope in straight sets, 7-5, 6-3.

Ferreros won her battle at the No. 1 position, although it took some extra tennis to decide it, outlasting Daniella Dimitrova, 7-5, 7-6 (4). Reese Walker and Emilija Pranyte then needed three sets to earn their wins at No. 3 and No. 4, respectively, with Walker posting a 6-2, 3-6, 6-2 win over Jillian Roa, and Pranyte defeating Anna Rahman, 6-2, 2-6, 6-3 to close out the day.

Pranyte improved to 3-1 in three set matches this year, leading the team in wins in that category, while Walker won for the second time in three, three-set contests.

Following five straight matches on the road, the Hornets will finally play a home dual for the first time since that Jan. 26 match against the Tigers, hosting No. 56 Cal Poly on Friday (Feb. 28) at Noon at the Sacramento State Tennis Complex.

NCAA WOMEN'S TENNIS
Sacramento State 7, Santa Clara 0
Feb. 22, 2025 // Santa Clara, Calif. (Degheri Tennis Center)

DOUBLES
1. Weronika Ejsmont / Palina Saulevich (SAC) def. Velizara Fileva / Jillian Roa (SCU), 6-2
2. Maddy Ferreros / Irene Riva (SAC) def. Daniella Dimitrova / Anna Rahman (SCU), 6-3
3. Kacey Feng / Tian Yu Dong (SCU) def. Lou Baudouin / Emilija Pranyte (SAC), 6-2

Order of finish: 1, 3, 2*

SINGLES
1. Maddy Ferreros (SAC) def. Daniella Dimitrova (SAC), 7-5, 7-6 (4)
2. Lou Baudouin (SAC) def. Tian Yu Dong (SCU), 6-2, 6-4
3. Reese Walker (SAC) def. Jillian Roa (SCU), 6-2, 3-6, 6-2
4. Emilija Pranyte (SAC) def. Anna Rahman (SCU), 6-3, 2-6, 6-3
5. Elena Mercioiu (SAC) def. Juliette Krumholz (SCU), 6-4, 6-0
6. Palina Saulevich (SAC) def. Jamie Pope (SCU), 7-5, 6-3

Order of finish: 5, 2, 6*, 4, 1, 3