March 28, 2006
FORT WORTH, Texas - The 10th-ranked California Golden Bears escaped 23rd-ranked TCU by a score of 4-3 to snap the Frogs four-match win streak. Senior
Helena Besovic, ranked 35th in the ITA singles poll, kept her win streak alive and stretched it to nine straight with 7-6(5), 6-3 win over 21st-ranked Suzie Babos.
"I thought we played well in a match we certainly could have won," stated TCU head coach Dave Borelli. "I thought Cal played extremely well. Even when we had match points in the doubles, we played the points well but they just played better. We lost another close one. Next time, the odds are in our favor to win a close one."
The Golden Bears used efficient play to steal wins at courts No. 1 and No. 2 to claim the doubles point and an early match lead. TCU's sophomore tandem of Nicole Leimbach and Kewa Nichols prevailed 8-4 at No. 3 versus Claire Ilcinkas and Christina Visico.
Cal extended its lead to 2-0 after 10th-ranked Suzie Fodor downed No. 11 Leimbach 6-0, 6-2 at No. 1.
Besovic cut into California's lead with a 7-6(5), 6-3 win at No. 2 over 21st-ranked Babos. A product of Sarajevo, Bosnia, Besovic is now 13-3 in singles play.
Junior Ana Cetnik knotted the match at 2-2 with a 7-6(3), 6-4 triumph at No. 4 over No. 69 Ilcinkas.
The Bears responded and tallied wins at No. 5 and No. 6 to clinch the match and their 11th win of the season.
TCU freshman Anna Sydorska, ranked 93rd in the singles poll, battled from behind to take a 4-6, 6-3, 6-3 victory at No. 3 over Visico.
With the loss, TCU dropped to 11-6 on the season. The Frogs return to action on Sunday when they host Washington. Match time is slated for noon.
No. 10 California def. No. 23 TCU, 4-3
Singles
1. No. 10 Suzie Fodor (CAL) def. No. 11 Nicole Leimbach (TCU) 6-0, 6-2
2. No. 35 Helena Besovic (TCU) def. No. 21 Suzi Babos (CAL) 7-6(5), 6-3
3. No. 93 Anna Sydorska (TCU) def. No. 69 Christina Visico (CAL) 4-6, 6-3, 6-3
4. Ana Cetnik (TCU) def. Claire Ilcinkas (CAL) 7-6(3), 6-4
5. Jessica Shu (CAL) def. Kewa Nichols (TCU) 6-3, 5-7, 6-1
6. Bojana Bobusic (CAL) def. Gloriann Lopez (TCU) 6-3, 6-4
Order of Finish: 1, 2, 4, 6, 5, 3
Doubles
1. No. 26 Babos/Fodor (CAL) def. No. 59 Besovic/Cetnik (TCU) 9-7
2. Bobusic/Kusano (CAL) def. Morgado/Sydorska (TCU) 9-7
3. Leimbach/Nichols (TCU) def. Ilcinkas/Visico (CAL) 8-4
Order of Finish: 2, 3, 1
