The Ventura College women's tennis team fell in a closely-fought 5-4 decision Thursday against College of the Canyons in Santa Clarita. Talia Lieb and Nell Elaerts won in No. 1 doubles, then each won their singles matches and Marcie McTigue also won a tight No. 6 singles match for the Pirates' four points.
Lieb and Elaerts got the Pirates off to a good start with an 8-3 win in No. 1 doubles. The Cougars captured the No. 2 slot before McTigue and Dee Emami dropped a 9-8 decision in No. 3 doubles after holding a match-point.
In singles, Leib was dominant with a love and love victory in the No. 1 slot while Elaerts captures her No. 2 match, two and love. Alexis Schmidt narrowly fell in No. 3 singles, 7-5, 6-4 and the Cougars clinched victory in No. 5 singles with a 6-3, 7-5 win over VC's Laura Rubio. McTigue closed the day with her 6-3, 4-6, 6-4 win in No. 6 singles.
Ventura (1-2, 1-2) next travels to Bakersfield on Tuesday Feb. 14.
Ventura 4, Canyons 5
Doubles
1. Lieb/Elaerts (VC) def. Paunovic/Villarta (CoC), 8-3
2. Schmidt/Moga (VC) lost to Russell/Wingo (CoC), 8-2
3. McTigue/Dee Emami (VC) lost to Arana Llosa/Abt (CoC), 8-4
Singles
1. Talia Lieb (VC) def. Lexi Paunovic (CoC), 6-0, 6-0
2. Nell Elaerts (VC) def. Ashley Villarta (CoC), 6-2, 6-0
3. Alexis Schmidt (VC) lost to Jennifer Russell (CoC), 7-5, 6-4
4. Belladora Moga (VC) lost to Ellie Wingo (CoC), 6-2, 6-0
5. Laura Rubio (VC) lost to Marie Arana Llosa (CoC), 6-3, 7-5
6. Marcie McTigue (VC) def. Faith Abt (CoC), 6-3, 4-6, 6-4