Feb. 23, 2002

The University of Denver women's tennis team won another thrilling match, this time defeating Sun Belt Conference opponent Arkansas State, 4-3, Saturday (Feb. 23) in Las Cruces, N.M. It was Denver's first SBC win of the season as the Pioneers improved to 3-3 overall, 1-1 in the conference.

After losing all three doubles matches, and the doubles point, the Pioneers had to put together a strong run in singles to pull out the victory. The first singles match to finish was on the sixth court as Denver junior Maru Altamirano (Chulas Vista, Calif.) won her match in three sets over ASU's Marusa Pogacnik. Following a loss at No. 5 singles freshman Barbara Kourim (Dallas, Texas) defeated the Indians? Liga Geme, 4-6, 6-4, 7-5, on the second court. Another Denver loss at No. 1 set up the exciting finish. Denver freshman Stephanie Ginsburg (Englewood, Colo.) won her match on the third court in three sets, leaving the outcome of the match in the hands of Denver freshman Elizabeth Matthews (Jackson, Tenn.) and ASU's Megan McCoy at No. 4 singles. In a close first set, Matthews edged by McCoy, 7-5, but could not close her out in the second set, losing 4-6. Both players battled hard, trying to notch the win for the team. However, it was Matthews earning the victory, 7-6(2), in a tie-breaker set to give the Pioneers their third win of the season.

Amazingly, all three singles matches needed a third set to be determined.

Denver (3-3, 1-1 SBC) will remain in Las Cruces, N.M., for another Sun Belt Conference match against Arkansas-Little Rock Sunday (Feb. 24). The Pioneers and UALR will play at 10 a.m. tomorrow.

RESULTS
Singles
#1 - Gija Geme (ASU) def. Yannick Dullens, 7-6, 3-6, 6-3
#2 - Barbara Kourim (DEN) def. Liga Geme, 4-6, 6-4, 7-5
#3 - Stephanie Ginsburg (DEN) def. Magui Cibils, 6-3, 3-6, 6-3
#4 - Elizabeth Matthews (DEN) def. Megan McCoy, 7-5, 4-6, 7-6(2)
#5 - Julia Searle (ASU) def. Beth Messaros, 6-3, 4-6, 6-3
#6 - Maru Altamirano (DEN) def. Marusa Pogacnik, 6-3, 3-6, 6-3

Doubles
#1 - Geme/Geme (ASU) def. Dullens/Kourim, 8-5
#2 - Pagacnik/Cibils (ASU) def. Rossi Thomas/Messaros, 8-4
#3 - McCoy/Searle (ASU) def. Ginsburg/Matthews, 8-3