Women's Tennis February 13, 2005

Toreros Fall To Pepperdine 6-1

Feb. 13, 2005

Malibu, Calif. - The No. 37 Pepperdine women's tennis team defeated the visiting University of San Diego 6-1 at the Ralphs-Straus Tennis Center. Pepperdine improved to 4-2, while San Diego drops to 1-2 with the loss. Emma Murphy earned USD's lone point at No. 1 singles with an impressive 7-6 (7-3), 6-2 win over Natalie Braverman. Murphy also teamed with Lauren Perl for a double victory at No. 3.

The Waves claimed the doubles point to take an early lead on the day. Eva Dickes and Bianca Dulgheru won in the number two spot, but the rookie tandem of Vanessa Dunlap and Rosette Andreasian were defeated 8-4 on court three by San Diego's Emma Murphy and Lauren Perl.

With the point to be decided in the top position the Waves looked to be in good shape with Caroline Raba and Sylvia Kosakowski jumping out to a 5-1 lead. USD's team of Jenny Brown and Lauren Kazarian each held serve and broke Raba to bring the set to 5-4. Tied at 40 Kosakowski's second serve was called long, but the freshman responded with two aces to give Pepperdine a game point. An unforced error by the Waves brought the score back to deuce before Kosakowski recorded her third ace of the game and hit a winner for the game and the 6-4 lead. Pepperdine held on, winning the next two games and claiming the point.

Singles action pitted the top two players in the WCC against each other in Pepperdine's Natalie Braverman (52) and San Diego's Emma Murphy (48). The showdown did not disappoint as every point was an exhausting rally. Braverman led 3-0 early in the first set before Murphy got on track and brought the count to 4-3. The Pepperdine junior had multiple set points at 5-4, but could not put Murphy away in the match's longest game. Down 6-5 Murphy held serve to force a tiebreaker, which she took 7-3 to win the first set. The second set would be Murphy's as well as Braverman was unable to hold any of her four service games. Murphy defeated Braverman for the first time in their five meetings, 7-6 (7-3), 6-2.

The victory was not enough to have much bearing on the scoresheet as the Waves dominated the rest on the Toreros' lineup. Raba, playing in her usual number two position beat Perl 6-0, 6-1. Dulgheru also registered a shutout as she beat Tara Livesay 6-0, 6-2 on court three. Kosakowski and Dickes also posted straight-set wins, while Lise Sissler took care of Jenny Brown 6-4, 1-6, 10-6.

Pepperdine 6, San Diego 1- Complete Results

Doubles

1. Raba/Kosakowski (Pepp.) def. Brown/Kazarian, 8-4

2. Dickes/Dulgheru (Pepp.) def. Reitz/Livesay, 8-2

3. Murphy/Perl (USD) def. Dunlap/Andreasian, 8-4

Singles

1. Emma Murphy (USD) def. Natalie Braverman df. 7-6 (7-3), 6-2

2. Caroline Raba (Pepp.) def. Lauren Perl, 6-0, 6-1

3. Bianca Dulgheru (Pepp.) def. Tara Livesay, 6-0, 6-2

4. Sylvia Kosakowski (Pepp.) def. Lauren Kazarian, 6-2, 6-4

5. Eva Dickes (Pepp.) def. Brittany Reitz, 6-2, 6-2

6. Lise Sissler (Pepp.) def. Jenny Brown, 6-4, 1-6, 10-6