ATHERTON, Calif. – Academy of Art women's tennis dominated in their first win of the 2024 campaign, as the squad traveled just south and confidently defeated Menlo 4-0 at Wunderlich Tennis Courts on Saturday.

"The team came out to compete today and believed in themselves," said ART U Head Coach Nicole Briceño. "I'm proud of everyone's fight and our determination to just never back down, regardless of the uncontrollable variables."

With the day starting off with doubles, the Urban Knights saw success right away as senior Viktoria Leth and junior Paulina Alvarez began with a combined win, taking down Franziska Niederle and Andrea Vlasceanu 6-2 on Court 3. Freshman Amelija Supulniece and junior Erica Hellbe then bested the duo of Valentina Rinaldi and Milana Hrudka with a 6-2 score on Court 1 to secure the doubles point for the team. 

In singles, sophomore Jessica Plazas' strong 6-1, 6-1 triumph over Niederle in the second slot was quickly followed by a 6-2, 6-2 result from Leth over Livia Harper. With freshman Georgiana Parr also taking her match with an assured victory finishing at 6-2, 6-2 over Hrudka, the Knights were up 4-0 and clinched over Menlo. 

"It was Georgie's first time clinching a college match and it was very exciting to see,'' said Briceño. "She stepped up today and I'm excited to see her continue to be an asset for our team."

Although Supulniece, freshman Estelle Najean, and Hellbe's matches went unfinished, they each would have allowed insurance for ART U as they were all in close matches, with Supulniece right behind her opponent 6-7 (3-7), 4-3 , Najean following 6-7 (2-7), 3-3, and Hellbe cruising ahead 6-3, 5-3.

ART U next welcomes Stanislaus State to the Bay Area next Friday, Feb. 16 for an 11 a.m. match back inside the Bay Club South San Francisco.