Glendale, AZ – In the fourth and final day of the Paseo Tournament, Academy of Art University women's Tennis showed their true power as they defeated Western New Mexico on Sunday afternoon. The Urban Knights came together and played some very good tennis. It was a complete team effort, and everyone contributed to the day's success. ART U dominated their competition in both singles and doubles play and swept Western New Mexico with a score of 9-0. The Knights finished the tournament going 4-1 over the weekend.

“Our final match was against Western New Mexico, a team that beat us 5-4 last year,” exclaimed Head Coach Dave Allen. “I was a very proud coach to hear some of our veterans remind our team to step up our level after such a tough match the day before. Bloody toes and fingers did not deter some of the best individual performance I have ever experienced from the whole team.”

The Knights got out to a strong start from the get go and never looked back. All nine of the ART U singles players defeated their WNMU opponents. Kunkanda "Cartoon" Phukchampa led the run by competing in the No. 1 slot and won in two straight sets 6-0, 6-0. Following her lead, Diane Phan came up with the victory after three sets winning with scores of 6-1, 2-6, 10-6, and Laone "Lala" Botshoma rolled over her Western New Mexico Opponent in two quick sets winning 6-4, 7-5. The Urban Knights kept right on along as newcomer Amal Ben El Hadj came up with a big win in the No. 4 spot taking her match 6-0, 6-0. Maria "Belen" Tenorio followed with another shutout, winning with scores of 6-0, 6-0, and Paolo Correa Fe stepped up in the No. 6 singles spot and came away with the victory in two sets, winning 6-3, 6-1.

ART U used the momentum from singles play to carry over to their doubles competitions; a strength of the Urban Knights. The women have had strong doubles teams this season, and that was no different today. Ben El Hadj and Phukchampa continued their powerful doubles play when they defeated their opponents 8-3. Botshoma and Phan are still proving to be the duo to beat as they easily won their match 8-4. Cecilia Hedin and Tenorio teamed up for the third doubles team, and outshined their competitors winning with a score of 8-5.

“Sweeping the doubles against WNM was awesome. Cartoon and Amal executed their game plan perfectly. They grabbed a hold of the match and continued to attack with one point at a time,” said Allen. “At No.2, Laone and Diane used their aggressive forehands to rip winners for every part of the court. I would hear a 'crack' and the point was over. We introduced a new doubles team of Cecilia and Belen at No. 3. Well the court was extra hot on their side of the net because I have never seen feet moving that fast. With the final point coming from a beautifully executed cross from Cecilia as Belen nailed her patented 'duck dive' forehand at the feet of their opponents.”

After the win, the Academy of Art University's record improves to 3-2 overall. The Knights get little rest before their next competition in which they take on Notre Dame de Namur on February 19^th. The match is scheduled for 10:00 am in Belmont, CA.

Coach Allen wrapped up his thoughts on the tournament with these words, “In this particular event we play a lot of tennis in a short period of time,” added Allen. “Each match can be very competitive. I believe our shortest match lasts 4 1/2 hours. This year's team marks an important mile stone in our development. These players have a different look to them; they have a much clearer vision of their goals.  They are tougher than before, and I believe that comes from the effort they put in during the fall. That tenacity really pulled us through those last four matches.”