Canyons Women's Tennis Wins Eighth Straight at Santa Monica

College of the Canyons women's tennis vs. Glendale College on Feb. 22, 2022.
March 5, 2022

Story and photo by Mari Knesiel/COC Sports Information

SANTA MONICA — College of the Canyons traveled to Santa Monica College and tacked on its eighth straight conference win as the Cougars bested the Corsairs in a 6-3 road victory on Thursday. 

Canyons (9-2, 8-0) won two doubles and four singles matches on the day. 

The No. 2 doubles team of Jennifer Russel and Lauren Hannah were the first to put a point up for the Cougars winning their set 8-2. Shortly after No. 3 pair Hannah Heiber and Lauren Neal won with an 8-1 triumph.  

Ashley Villarta faced off in first position in singles and Lexi Paunovic in second. Though both fell to their SMC (3-5) opponents, the rest of the Cougars won out. 

Russell performed in the No. 3 position winning in three sets. Neal followed in suit, from the No. 4 spot, after also battling through three sets.

No. 5 Heiber and No. 6 Hannah captured their respective points in just two sets, bringing the Cougars to a winning total of 6-3. 

Canyons has four matches left in Western State Conference (WSC) play and will strive to defend its undefeated position at home on Tuesday March 8 vs. Ventura College (4-4, 3-4).

Full Results from Thursday's match at Santa Monica are below:  

Doubles

  1. Villarta/Paunovic (COC) loses to West/Nikchevich (SMC)—8-2
  2. Russell/Hannah (COC) defeats Gerlach/Pollack (SMC)—8-3
  3. Heiber/Neal (COC) defeats Yaghoubi/Marsuura (SMC)—8-1

Singles

  1. Ashley Villarta (COC) loses to Nicole West (SMC)—6-1, 6-2
  2. Lexi Paunovic (COC) loses to Kai Nikchevich (SMC)—6-1, 6-2
  3. Jennifer Russell (COC) defeats Veronica Gerlach (SMC)—2-6, 6-2, 6-0
  4. Lauren Neal (COC) defeats Yasna Yaghoubi (SMC)—7-6, 4-6, 10-7
  5. Hannah Heiber (COC) defeats Juyan Pollack (SMC)—6-4, 7-5
  6. Lauren Hannah (COC) defeats Fumi Matsuura (SMC)—6-0, 6-0

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.