Women's tennis ends season with victory

By Erin Chambers

Despite a tough 7-0 loss to No. 34 Pepperdine the week before, Bronco women's tennis closed the regular season with a solid 5-2 victory over Pacific. It was the first win over Pacific for Aby Ryan in her eight years as head coach of Bronco women's tennis.

"We could have lost easily, but everybody just fought really hard," Ryan said.

Senior Nicole McCord emerged early on as the leader in the Broncos' effort against the Tigers, as she and junior Christine Limbers won the doubles point 8-4 to start off the match.

It was McCord's final regular season home match as a Bronco, and she battled from behind to take the 2-6, 6-2, 7-5 decision over Pacific's No. 3 Melinda Kocsis. McCord, who was voted MVP of her high school team four years straight, contributed most at Santa Clara in the No.1 doubles spot and No. 2 and No. 3 singles positions.

"[McCord] was our star today," Ryan said. "She fought harder for today's victory than she ever has. She played a very good opponent, but she just wanted it. Our freshmen also stepped up big today."

Santa Clara's freshmen played like champs, like they have done all season, especially in the singles line-up. Freshman Janalle Kaloi fought hard for a 4-6, 6-2, 6-3 three-set victory on court two, followed just minutes later by an overhead winner on court four by freshman teammate Catherine Cochrane. Cochrane defeated Pacific's Urska Dvorsek 6-1, 0-6, 7-6.

Kaloi has continually provided Santa Clara with solid, consistent tennis in both singles and doubles in the 2002 spring season. Already playing regularly in the No. 2 spot as a freshman, Kaloi boasts an impressive 19-11 singles record on the season.

Kaloi proves just as potent in doubles play, as she and partner junior Mariko Kawakami were named West Coast Conference Doubles Team of the Month twice this season. The Kaloi/Kawakami tandem boasts an 8-5 record this season, while the Kaloi/Limbers pair holds an impressive 10-6 mark.

Santa Clara now looks toward the league tournament. Worthy opponents include San Diego and Loyola Marymount, but the team appears confident with their level of play this spring.

"This is a great win to have going into our league tournament," Ryan said. "I'm glad it was close and we had to fight. It made us that more prepared for next weekend."