Game #3:
Paseo Tournament
AAU (1-1) vs. Grand Canyon University (1-0)
February 11th at 9:30 AM
Glendale, AZ - Paseo Racquet Center
Game #4:
Paseo Tournament
AAU (1-1) vs. BYU Hawaii (0-0)
February 12th at 12:30 PM
Glendale, AZ – Paseo Racquet Center
Game #5:
Paseo Tournament
AAU (1-1) vs. Montana State University Billings (0-0)
February 13th at 12:30 PM
Glendale, AZ – Paseo Racquet Center
Game #6:
Paseo Tournament
AAU (1-1) vs. Western New Mexico University (0-0)
February 13th at 12:30 PM
Glendale, AZ – Paseo Racquet Center
Game #7:
Paseo Tournament
AAU (1-1) vs. Midwestern State University (0-2)
February 14th at 10:00 AM
Glendzel, AZ – Paseo Racquet Center
Urban Knight Outlook: The Academy of Art University women started their season off with a loss against CCAA Division II powerhouse Sonoma State with a score of 1-8. They followed the game up with another match just two days later. This time the women faced PacWest conference members Notre Dame de Namur University. The Knights swept the Argos with an overall score of 9-0. The women now head on a four-day tournament in Glendale, AZ in which they will face other Division II schools, including two PacWest teams.
Highlighting the Knights: Freshman Diane Phan had an impressive start to the 2010 season. She was the only Urban Knight to win her match against the Sonoma State Seawolves. Phan also defeated her singles opponent against NDNU, and after being teamed up with Laone "Lala" Botshoma, she was able to defeat her doubles opponent as well.
Scouting Grand Canyon: Senior Karen Peltin led the 'Lopes last season with an 11-7 record. Junior Mandy Prudhomme also stood out with a 10-9 overall record. Peltin and Prudhomme combined for doubles and put up a 9-10 record in 2009. But the 'Lopes leading doubles team comes from two current sophomores: Stefanie Griffin and Amanda Jackson who had an impressive 10-8 doubles record last season as freshmen. As a team the 'Lopes finished with a 9-10 overall record and were 3-4 in the PacWest. All of their top finishers last season have returned for 2010. The 'Lopes are currently ranked 49th in the NCAA Division II polls.
Scouting BYU Hawaii: Last year the Seasiders sent two players to the ITA Regional tournament. Those two players were Yuan Jia and Jenny Chin and after sweeping in Regionals they advanced to the ITA Nationals. Now in their sophomore years, the pair is expected to do even more great things for the Seasiders this season. Jia finished with an overall record of 21-0, and Chin finished with a 22-1 record. Both players had impressive records especially for their freshman years. Wen-Ling Wang will be a senior who will lead the team as she led last season with a commanding 23-0 overall record. The Seasiders are currently ranked 3rd in the Nation according to the NCAA Division II polls.
Scouting Montana State University Billings: In 2009 the Yellowjackets competed in the NCAA Regional tournament, proceeded to play in the NCAA Regional Championships and even advanced to the NCAA Division II Championships. All four of the Yellowjacket's top starters last season are not returning for the 2010 season. MSU Billings has a young team this year composed of five freshmen, one sophomore, one junior and no seniors. They concluded the 2009 season with a 16-11 record and lost in the 16th round of the NCAA Division II Championships to Hawaii Pacific University.
Scouting Western New Mexico University: The Mustangs are led by lone senior Stephanie Shleton. She was named to the All-RMAC third team, and the All-RMAC second team for doubles. Shelton had an 8-9 overall record which included a four game winning streak in the middle of the season. Junior Emily Lampman was also named to the All-RMAC second team for doubles. The Mustangs combined for a 5-18 overall record last year, and were 4-5 in conference play.
Scouting Midwestern State University: The MSU Mustangs finished the 2009 season with a 13-12 overall record and were only 1-6 in conference. They are led by Faye d'Hamecourt, the Mustang's only senior. As a junior, Faye had a 16-7 record (highest on the team) and a 2-3 conference record. She also had a three game winning streak during the '09 season. The Mustangs are off to a slower start this year as they are currently 0-2 after to losing to Okalahoma Christian and Abilene Christian.
Looking Ahead: After the Paseo Tournament, the Urban Knights return to the bay for more PacWest conference competition. They are scheduled to take on Dominican University in San Rafael, CA on February 23rd. The game is set to take place at Forest Meadows Tennis Courts at 1:30 PM.
