Most people look forward to visiting San Diego. The city boastsgreat weather and sandy beaches. But try telling that to the opposingplayers coming here to face San Diego State’s women’s tennis team.
The reason other teams are less than excited to come here has todo with SDSU’s home-winning streak, which now stands at nine matches,dating back to last season.
The No. 43 Aztecs (4-2) will put that streak on the line thisFriday at 2 p.m. against UC Irvine (3-4). The two team’s last squaredoff in Irvine last Feb. 17, with SDSU pulling off the 6-1 victory.
“They are an improved team,” SDSU head coach Peter Mattera said.”They have added some new recruits since then. They have had goodresults to this point and have played very tough against some goodteams like UCLA and USC.”
The new recruits he was referring to are freshmen Anna Bentzer,Kristina Boss and Hui Leow. All of them have already stepped into thestarting lineup for the Anteaters.
New faces aside, Irvine’s best player is still senior JonniSeymour. She is 5-2 in singles play this season and is ranked No. 61nationally. Seymour was the only reason the Aztecs did not sweep thematch last season.
Junior Silvia Tornier lost to Seymour at the No. 1 singlesposition last year in a very close 4-6, 6-4, 6-4 match and will gether chance for redemption on Friday. Tornier continued her steadyplay for SDSU last week against Pacific by winning both of hersingles and doubles matches.
Another Aztecs who was impressive last week was freshman IndraErichson. Erichson, who had been limited to doubles play, debuted atsingles and won her match in three sets. Her coach was pleased bywhat he saw.
“I think she played well,” Mattera said. “She was a littletentative in her first set but once she relaxed, she was more likethe Indra we see in practice.”
Erichson is not the only exciting newcomer.
Junior transfer Katalina Romero is also playing well. Romero hasplayed almost exclusively at the No. 4 singles position and is 4-2 onthe season. She has also teamed with junior Katja Karrento fordoubles and the duo is 5-1 at the No. 2 spot.
As for the streak, Mattera feels it should remain intact afterthis weekend.
“We have had a good week of practice,” Mattera said. “Everyoneseems ready and excited to keep our streak going. I think we will puton a good performance.”
