Box Score

Glendale, AZ -- Up against the third-ranked team in the country, the Urban Knights women's tennis team (1-2) was defeated 9-0 by BYU-Hawaii (4-0) in the Paseo Tournament. It was Academy of Art University's first match of the three-day event and while AAU lost, freshman Diane Phan took two games from the nation's #3 player and junior Laone "Lala" Botshoma also won a pair of games versus the #2 player in the country.

“Going up against one of the best team in the nation is always a test of one's will, but our entire team competed well,” Head Coach Dave Allen said. “Despite the scores, I was proud of our performance. I find it helpful to have a team of BYU-Hawaii's ability in our conference because I know exactly what is needed for our Urban Knights to get to that level. They are a great marker to know what we need to do in order to compete at the top in the nation.”

At the number one position in singles action, Phan lost 6-1, 6-1 to #3 Yuan Jia while Botshoma fell 6-2, 6-0 to #2 Elwen Li in the second slot. The third spot featured sophomore Paola Correa Fe and Ayako Ikeda with Ikeda taking the matchup 6-2, 6-2. In the fourth singles position, sophomore Maria "Belen" Tenorio could not top Shawni Porter and was defeated 6-0, 6-2. Senior Anna Ritchie faced off against #20 Jenny Chin in the fifth slot and it was Chin who came out on top 6-0, 6-0. Singles competition was rounded out with a 6-0, 6-2 victory for Salina Aranda over sophomore Cecilia Hedin.

Phan and Botshoma paired up for the top spot in doubles, but could not get past Li and Ji, who are ranked #1 in the nation, with an 8-1 final result. The number two doubles position saw Ikeda and Porter come away with an 8-2 victory over Ritchie and Correa Fe while Tenorio and Hedin were defeated by Chin and Aranda 8-0 in the third slot.

“This being our second year, I had no false pretences as to what our chances were against this team,” Coach Allen said. “Often you come off a losing match feeling dejected or dismayed, but every single person came off our court competed their hearts out and had every intention of winning. They felt like they played well, the other team just played too strong today. I feel proud of our Urban Knights team with their attitude both before and after this match. We're prepared to play tomorrow.”

Day two of the Paseo Tournament puts Academy of Art University against two opponents, Montana State University – Billings and Western New Mexico University. Saturday, Feb. 13, starts with the Knights and Yellowjackets at 12:30 PM MST followed by AAU and WNMU at 6:30 PM MST.

Tennis Match Results
BYU-Hawaii vs Academy of Art University
Feb 12, 2010 at Glendale, AZ
(Paseo Racquet Center)
BYU-Hawaii 9, Academy of Art University 0

Singles competition
1. #3 Yuan Jia (BYUH-WT) def. Diane Phan (AAU-WT) 6-1, 6-1
2. #2 Elwen Li (BYUH-WT) def. Laone Botshoma (AAU-WT) 6-2, 6-0
3. Ayako Ikeda (BYUH-WT) def. Paola Correa Fe (AAU-WT) 6-2, 6-2
4. Shawni Porter (BYUH-WT) def. Maria Tenorio (AAU-WT) 6-0, 6-2
5. #20 Jenny Chin (BYUH-WT) def. Anna Ritchie (AAU-WT) 6-0, 6-0
6. Salina Aranda (BYUH-WT) def. Cecilia Hedin (AAU-WT) 6-0, 6-2

Doubles competition
1. #1 Yuan Jia/Elwen Li (BYUH-WT) def. Diane Phan/Laone Botshoma (AAU-WT) 8-1
2. Ayako Ikeda/Shawni Porter (BYUH-WT) def. Anna Ritchie/Paola Correa Fe (AAU-WT) 8-2
3. Jenny Chin/Salina Aranda (BYUH-WT) def. Maria Tenorio/Cecilia Hedin (AAU-WT) 8-0

Match Notes:
BYU-Hawaii 4-0
Academy of Art University 1-2
Paseo Tournament
T-4:00