Steffen Deetjen
Staff Writer

This Friday USF took on USCB in what ended up in a victory for the Dons. Despite losing the doubles point the Dons were able to emerge victorious with a 5-2 win thanks to their singles play at the Cal Club. On the roster for the game, the Dons had players Bernardo Saraiva, Nils Skajaa, James Tallman, Thomas Takemoto, Vasco Valverde, and Johan Samuelsson. 

The first to pick up a win for the Dons in singles play was James Tallman. He played against Santa Barbara opponent Cory Rakela and won his game with set scores of 4-6, 6-1, 6-0. To go along with Tallman’s win, Bernardo Saraiva was second to win his singles match against opponent Morgan Mays. The final score of their match ended up being 7-5, 6-4 giving the Dons the lead and also increasing Saraiva’s undefeated dual match record to 5-0. Close to defeat in the third set 5-3, Vasco Valverde regained control of the match and came back with a win 7-5 against Teague Hamilton. With Valverde’s win, the Dons now had a two-point lead, 3-1. USF finished strong in their next two single matches with Thomas Takemoto defeating Nathan Eshmade 3-6, 6-4, 6-2 and Nils Skajaa defeating Tobias Galskov 1-6, 7-5, 6-4. For their next challenge, the Dons will head to Stockton, California to participate in the UOP Invitational taking place from February 27 to Mar. 1.

This Friday the Dons took on UC Davis and were victorious against them in a 4-3 win. Although the Dons were not able to pick up their points in doubles play, they were able to fight through and make up for it with their singles play at the Olympic Club. On the roster for the Dons that day was Andrea Ka, Thyra Taune, Marina Nikolic. Milica Hadzi-Tanovic, and Genevieve McCloskey. With the Dons losing 1-2, player Thyra Taune was able to tie it up 2-2 with her victory 6-1, 6-2 against opponent Tiffany Pham. Shortly after, another win for the Dons came from Marina Nikolic taking the match from Lani-Rae Green in two sets 6-2, 6-2. No. 51 Andrea Ka followed in quick succession with yet another win against Layla Sanders 6-2. 6-4.

However, the match was not over yet and the Dons had another game to play before celebrating a win. In the last match Milica Hadzi-Tanovic was able to seal the deal in three sets against Kristy Jorgensen. Although losing the first set 4-6, Tanovic was able to come back in last two sets 6-3, 6-2.

The Dons will be Arizona State for their next game, which will be played in Tempe, Arizona on Feb. 28, at 11 a.m.

Photo credit: Courtesy OF Dons Athletics