MODOC NAMED WAC PLAYER OF THE MONTH
Fresno State's Bianca Modoc has been named the Verizon Western Athletic Conference Tennis Players of the Month for November.
Modoc, a sophomore from Yorba Linda, Calif. (Esperaza HS), went undefeated in singles and doubles play at the Bulldog Classic on Nov. 12-14. Modoc went 3-0 in singles with her most impressive victory, a 6-0, 6-1 domination of Portland State's Kylea Gleason, coming on the first day of competition. Her toughest challenge came on the final day, as she was pushed to three sets before defeating Saint Mary's Laurie Gingras 6-4, 4-6, 6-3. As impressive as Modoc's singles record was, her doubles record was even better. Modoc finished the Bulldog Classic a perfect 5-0 in doubles play, as she paired up with numerous partners throughout the tournament.
Other female nominees included: Sonia Klamczynska, Boise State; Michelle Okhremchuk, Nevada
WAC IN THE NATIONAL RANKINGS
In the Jan. 4 ITA rankings, Boise State is the only WAC team ranked in the top 50, coming in at No. 38.
The Fresno State Bulldogs has two singles players ranked in the top 100. Marianne Jodoin garners the No. 75 ranking and freshman Abby Hayley earned the No. 81 ranking nationally. The two are also the only WAC singles players ranked in the top 100.
In doubles, Boise State has two teams ranked in the top 100. Marlena Pietzuch and Sonia Klamczynska are ranked No. 77, while Lauren Megale and Sonia Klamczynska are ranked No. 90.
HAWAI'I LOSES TO DUKE
The Rainbow Wahine kicked off their spring season with a 6-1 loss to No. 7 ranked Duke on Jan. 7 in Honolulu, Hawai'i. Despite the result, Hawai'i was competitive against national title contender Duke. The Blue Devils have four nationally ranked singles players, including two players in the Top 25, as well as the No 4 doubles team in the nation. Hawai'i's lone point came from sophomore Katarina Poljakova, who upset No. 43 Mary Clayton, 7-5, 7-5.
NEVADA SPLITS FIRST TWO DUAL MATCHES
In two highly contested matches, Nevada (1-1) opened its dual season by splitting matches with UC Riverside and Loyola Marymount on Jan. 14 and 16. The Wolf Pack fell 4-3 to UC Riverside but rebounded with a hard fought 4-3 victory over Loyola Marymount. The difference against Loyola Marymount was the doubles play from Nevada, as the teams of Lais Ogata and Emma Verberne and Aodhnait Lombard and Michelle Okhremchuk won to secure the first point of the contest. The Wolf Pack would go on to split the singles matches 3-3 giving them the victory on the point earned from the doubles matchups.
WAC TOURNAMENT TO BE HELD IN BOISE
The 2011 WAC Tennis Tournament will be held April 29-May 1 in Boise, Idaho.
Top-seeded Boise State earned its first-ever WAC Women's Tennis Championship last season with a 4-3 win over No. 3-seed Fresno State in the title match. The Broncos' victory ended the Bulldogs streak of eight-straight titles.