LUBBOCK, Texas – Long Beach State women’s tennis closed the 18th Annual ITA Kickoff Weekend Texas Tech Regional on a high note Saturday, earning a hard-fought 4-3 victory over Wichita State in the consolation match at The Falls Tennis and Athletic Club.
The Beach secured four singles wins, including a decisive comeback at No. 5 singles, to seal the win after doubles play concluded with the point awarded to the Shockers.
Long Beach State quickly built momentum in singles action with strong performances across the lineup. Cecilia Costa earned a straight-set victory at No. 2 singles, defeating Kristina Kudryavtseva 6-2, 7-5, while Paulina Franco Martinessi followed with a composed 6-3, 6-3 win over Sati Aubakirova on court six.
Diana De Simone added another critical point for the Beach at No. 3 singles, battling past Anne Knuettel in three sets, 6-3, 5-7, 6-4.
The match-clinching point came from Pamela Badillo at No. 5 singles, who rallied after dropping the first set to defeat Tatyana Nikolenko 5-7, 6-1, 6-4, securing Long Beach State’s fourth and final point of the day.
Wichita State picked up singles wins on courts one and four, but the Beach’s depth and resilience proved decisive in the narrow victory.
Final Score
Long Beach State 4, Wichita State 3
Singles
Xin Tong Wang (WSU) def. Thea Jagare (LBSU) 6-0, 6-1
Cecilia Costa (LBSU) def. Kristina Kudryavtseva (WSU) 6-2, 7-5
Diana De Simone (LBSU) def. Anne Knuettel (WSU) 6-3, 5-7, 6-4
Palmy Vimuktananda (WSU) def. Daria Malaescu (LBSU) 6-1, 6-4
Pamela Badillo (LBSU) def. Tatyana Nikolenko (WSU) 5-7, 6-1, 6-4
Paulina Franco Martinessi (LBSU) def. Sati Aubakirova (WSU) 6-3, 6-3
Doubles
Xin Tong Wang / Tatyana Nikolenko (WSU) vs. Cecilia Costa / Thea Jagare (LBSU) 6-6 (6-4), unfinished
Palmy Vimuktananda / Anne Knuettel (WSU) def. Diana De Simone / Pamela Badillo (LBSU) 7-5
Kristina Kudryavtseva / Sati Aubakirova (WSU) def. Daisy Carpenter / Paulina Franco (LBSU) 7-5
Order of finish: Doubles (3, 2); Singles (1, 2, 4, 3, 6, 5)