San Francisco, Calif. (3/13/09) -- On a sunny Friday morning at the San Francisco Tennis center, the Academy of Art University Women's Tennis team was defeated by the University of Hawaii - Hilo Vulcans 6-3. Although the Urban Knights dropped their three doubles matches, they came back with three victories in the bottom three singles slots. Unfortunately for AAU, the top three singles matches turned in favor of the Vulcans.

"For a Friday the 13th, it was a beautiful day with perfect conditions and fantastic support from the SF Tennis Club," Head Coach Dave Allen said. "We had a great turnout and support from lots of people (including quite a few students) so that was awesome. Our players at 4, 5, and 6 make me really proud of how our team has developed and become stronger in the lower positions. I'm encouraged by the development of our depth."

At #4, freshman Paola Correa Fe played an intense three-set match against Akimi Kifune in which Correa Fe got down after a dramatic tiebreaker in the first set, but rallied back to take the win 7-6 (8-6), 6-4, 10-3. She prevailed in her final set, a super-tiebreaker.

"Paola Fe was able to use her mental toughness to outlast her opponent after dropping the first set," Allen said. "I'm really proud of her competitive attitude."

In the #5 and #6 slots, senior Anna Ritchie and freshman Cecilia Hedin defeated their opponents, Jenna DeCleene and Kari Rodrigues, in strong fashion. Ritchie won 6-0, 6-1 and Hedin triumphed for her second consecutive singles victory 6-4, 6-2.

Sophomore Cassy Fabiani fell to a tough competitor in Eve Castaing at #1 singles 6-3, 6-4 while sophomore Laone "Lala" Botshoma dropped a 7-6 (7-5), 6-1 decision to Christine Pagatapan. At #3, Maria "Belen" Tenorio was bested by Nicole Campbell 6-3, 6-1.

"Cassy fought off seven match points before finally falling to a blistering backhand that just caught the tape," Allen said. "I believe Cassy's game continues to grow stronger as she has more and more matches under her belt."

The day began with three doubles matches in which Correa Fe and Fabiani lost to Castaing and Pagatapan 8-1 in the #1 slot. At #2, Tenorio and Botshoma fell to Campbell and DeCleene 8-4. The Knights toughest doubles match was Hedin and Ritchie's 8-6 loss to Kifune and Rodrigues.

"Although it's our inaugural year, the Urban Knights are showing they are competing well in the PacWest," Allen said. "And we're also very excited about future recruits too."

Next up for the Academy of Art University women's tennis team is a pairing with Dominican that will take place in San Rafael, CA on Thursday, March 19th at 2:00 PM.

Results:

Singles
#1  Eve Castaing def. Cassy Fabiani 6-3, 6-4
#2 Christine Pagatapan def. Laone "Lala" Botshoma 7-6 (7-5), 6-1
#3 Nicole Campbell def. Maria "Belen" Tenorio 6-3, 6-1
#4 Paola Correa Fe def. Akimi Kifune 7-6 (8-6), 6-4, 10-3
#5 Anna Ritchie def. Jenna DeCleene 6-0, 6-1
#6 Cecilia Hedin def. Kari Rodrigues 6-4, 6-2

Doubles
#1 Eve Castaing/Christine Pagatapan def. Paola Correa Fe/Cassy Fabiani 8-1
#2 Nicole Campbell/Jenna DeCleene def. Maria "Belen" Tenorio/Laone "Lala" Botshoma 8-4
#3 Akimi Kifune/Kari Rodrigues def. Cecilia Hedin/Anna Ritchie 8-6

Final Score: AAU 3, UHH 6