Academy of Art versus Cal State Los Angeles Final ResultsSAN FRANCISCO – National Intercollegiate Tennis Association Rankings were released just before the onset of Wednesday's competition, giving the match between No. 25 Academy of Art and No. 35 Cal State LA much significance.
Fresh off of a week-long trip to Florida, the Urban Knights hit the ground running in doubles. All three matches were closely contested at first, but ART U emerged with two 8-3 victories. Junior
Annika Schneider and freshman
Taisiia Andrieieva dispatched their opponents in second doubles, while senior
Michelle Dandik Zaale and freshman
Paula Alcantara won in the third. Freshmen
Alma Thell-Lenntorp and
Klara Thell-Lenntorp were just edged in their matchup, falling by a final score of 8-6.
When the match turned to singles, Academy of Art looked to take the momentum of their 2-1 lead with them. Needing just three wins to gain the victory, both Thell-Lenntorp twins were up to the task, notching wins in the fourth and fifth categories. While Klara only dropped two games in her 6-2, 6-0 victory, Alma reached a third set with her opponent, but came away with a 6-2, 1-6, 6-0 triumph. The Urban Knights lost 1st, 3rd, and 6th singles which tied the match 4-4 and turned all eyes to the second singles match between senior Michelle Dandik and Elizaveta Sokolova.
After falling 3-6 in the first, Dandik Zaale rallied for a 6-0 second set. The third saw determined play on both sides which led to several lead changes: down 0-1 after the first game, Dandik Zaale regained momentum, winning two consecutive games to take a 2-1 lead. Sokolova returned the favor with two straight wins of her own to move ahead once again. The Quebec native would win just one more game while her opponent would continue on to win the match and the decision for the Golden Eagles.
After the 5-4 loss to Cal State LA, Academy of Art will have a chance to put this match behind them as they turn to No. 1 BYU-Hawaii on Thursday at noon.
