Jan. 30, 2004

The USD women's tennis team, ranked 46th in the preseason ITA poll, dropped their season opener this afternoon to Oklahoma in Tucson, Arizona by the score of 5-2. San Diego will next take on the Arizona Wildcats in a match to be played this coming Sunday. Sophomore Emma Murphy and senior Catherine Heppell both won their singles matches at No. 2 and No. 6, respectively. The Toreros were without the services of first year player Lena Baensch who is out with an ankle injury.

Oklahoma swept all three doubles matches to earn the doubles point. Murphy defeated Gabby Baker at No. 2 (6-1, 6-0) and Heppell downed Bethany Griffin at No. 6 (6-4, 6-4). At No. 1 singles, Lauren Perl won her first set 6-4 over Anda Periauna, then lost a tough 7-6 second set before falling 6-1 in the third. Tara Livesay at No. 3 and Jenny Brown at No. 4 also dropped three-set matches.

DOUBLES 1. Anda Perianu/Heather Saluri (OU) df. Lauren Kazarian/Jenny Brown; 8-2 2. Iina Lykina/Jessica Braver (OU) df. Emma Murphy/Tara Livesay; 8-1 3. Bethany Griffin/Gabby Baker (OU) df. Lauren Perl/Jenna Anderson; 8-2

SINGLES 1. Anda Periaunu (OU) df. Lauren Perl; 4-6, 7-6, 6-1 2. Emma Murphy (USD) df. Gabby Baker; 6-1, 6-0 3. Irina Lykina (OU) df. Tara Livesay; 3-6, 6-4, 6-2 4. Heather Saluri (OU) df. Jenny Brown; 3-6, 6-4, 6-3 5. Jessica Braver (OU) df. Lauren Kazarian; 6-4, 6-0 6. Catherine Heppell (USD) df. Bethany Grifin; 6-4, 6-4