SPOKANE, Wash. – Gonzaga’s women’s tennis team showcased their strength in a thrilling face-off against Air Force on Saturday at the Stevens Center, clinching a 4-3 victory after an intense nearly 5-hour duel.
The Bulldogs secured the doubles point with remarkable performances; the duo of Rose Hayes and Lia Espinal triumphed with a score of 6-3, while Emily Robertson and Safien Boulonois fought hard to get a 7-5 victory. Their teammates, Norhan Hesham and Brooke Bittner, were locked in a tiebreaker at the time the doubles point was claimed.
In singles action, Hesham demonstrated her resilience by overcoming a 0-4 gap in the second set to win 6-1, 6-4. Robertson followed suit, pushing Gonzaga to a 3-0 lead with a convincing 6-4, 6-2 win. However, the Falcons struck back, winning matches against Ella Nielsen, Hayes, and Boulonois to level the score at 3-3.
Once again, it was Bittner who had the pressure of the overall match resting on her shoulders. Drawing from past experience, including her decisive win against New Mexico the previous week, the redshirt sophomore faced a grueling match. In a thrilling back-and-forth contest, Bittner ultimately prevailed with a scoreline of 6-2, 6-7 (6), 7-5, ensuring the dual victory for the Bulldogs.
Next Up
The Bulldogs are set to host Washington tomorrow (February 9) at noon at the Stevens Center. Fans who cannot make it to the event can catch all the action through live video and stats on GoZags.com.
Match Insights
- The Gonzaga women’s tennis team now boasts a 5-1 record this dual season, with previous victories over Michigan State, Eastern Washington, New Mexico State, and New Mexico.
- This impressive 5-1 start marks the Bulldogs’ best since 2021 when they similarly opened the spring season with 5-1.
- The team remains undefeated at the Stevens Center, holding a 3-0 record at home.
- Air Force’s record now stands at 4-3 for the season.
- Earlier in the week, the Falcons achieved a dominant 7-0 victory at the Stevens Center against Eastern Washington, who lost 5-2 to Gonzaga on January 19.
Dual Results – February 8
Gonzaga 4, Air Force 3
Doubles Results
- Emily Robertson/Safien Boulonois def. Nadia Kojonroj/Arianna Van Houweling (AF), 7-5
- Rose Hayes/Lia Espinal def. Alexis Odom/Maya Michalski (AF), 6-3
- Norhan Hesham/Brooke Bittner vs. Sofia Mavor/Shivaani Selvan (AF), 6-6 (1-1) (unfinished)
Order of Finish: 2, 1
Singles Results
- Emily Robertson def. Alexis Odom (AF), 6-4, 6-2
- Arianna Van Houweling (AF) def. Rose Hayes, 6-2, 6-4
- Nadia Kojonroj (AF) def. Safien Boulonois, 4-6, 6-2, 6-0
- Norhan Hesham def. Sofia Mavor (AF), 6-1, 6-4
- Shivaani Selvan (AF) def. Ella Nielsen, 6-3, 6-1
- Brooke Bittner def. Giovanna Sanchirico (AF), 6-2, 6-7 (6), 7-5
Order of Finish: 4, 1, 5, 2, 3, 6
