Lady Cougars Tennis Cruises to 9-0 Win at Antelope Valley
By Jesse Muñoz/COC Sports Information Director
LANCASTER — College of the Canyons cruised to a 9-0 conference victory at Antelope Valley College on Thursday, pushing the Lady Cougars' win streak to four matches.
The shutout was the first of the season for Canyons (4-3, 3-2) which has bounced back in recent weeks after falling in its first three matches out of the gate.
COC sophomore Ashley Villarta, playing in the No. 1 spot, earned her first singles win of the season after teaming with Lexi Paunovic for a double victory.
Paunovic was also victorious from the No. 2 position to notch her first singles win.
Jennifer Russell improved to 4-2 on the season in singles play with her victory in the No. 3 slot. Meanwhile, Ellie Wingo, the current student-athlete of the week, moved to 5-2 on the season primarily playing No. 4 singles.
No. 5 Marie Arana Llosa was a straight sets winner to claim her fourth straight victory. Faith Abt rounded out singles play in the No. 6 slot with her second victory over the last three matches.
Russell and Wingo moved their doubles record to 6-1 on the young season, while Abt and Arana Llosa improved to 5-2 as the No. 3 doubles duo.
Canyons will now have a non-conference road match at Occidental College at 2 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 18.
Full results from Thursday's match vs. Antelope Valley are below:
Doubles
- Ashley Villarta/Lexi Paunovic (COC) defeats Sydney Bush/Naia Smithley (AVC) — 8-2
- Jennifer Russell/Ellie Wingo (COC) defeats Nicole Padilla/Julie Tejeda (AVC) — 8-0
- Faith Abt/Marie Arana Llosa (COC) defeats Ari Avina/Emily Lopez (AVC) — 8-2
Singles
- Ashley Villarta (COC) defeats Sydney Bush (AVC) — 6-3, 3-6, 10-4
- Lexi Paunovic (COC) defeats Nicole Padilla (AVC) — 6-0, 6-1
- Jennifer Russell (COC) defeats Naia Smithley (AVC) — 7-5, 6-2
- Ellie Wingo (COC) defeats Julie Tejeda (AVC) — 6-1, 6-3
- Marie Arana Llosa (COC) defeats Mary Williams (AVC) — 6-0, 6-0
- Faith Abt (COC) defeats Ari Avina (AVC) — 6-1, 7-5
Stay up to date on all this season's action by following the College of the Canyons Athletic department on social media at @COCathletics on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and YouTube.