Women's Tennis Drops Season Opener in Close Decision

The Pirates' women's tennis team played shorthanded Tuesday in their season opener, yielding two points by default to host Antelope Valley, but still almost managed victory, falling 5-4 to the Marauders. Talia Lieb and Alexis Schmidt won their Pirate debut at No. 1 doubles, then both won in Nos. 1 and 2 singles, respectively. Belladora Moga also won her first VC match in No. 3 singles.

Lieb and Schmidt gave Ventura the early lead with their 8-2 win in No. 1 doubles. AVC then grabbed the lead heading to singles after capturing the point at No. 2 doubles with a win and at No. 3 doubles by default.

Lieb won her No. 1 singles match 6-2, 6-3 and Moga prevailed at No. 3 singles, 6-2, 6-4 to put Ventura back ahead, but the Marauders evened the match with a win at No. 5 singles. Schmidt came from behind to win her No. 2 singles match-up 3-6, 6-3, 6-3 before AVC claimed victory in No. 4 singles. VC dropped the No. 6 singles match by default to give the win to the Marauders.

Ventura makes its 2023 home debut on Tuesday Feb. 7 against Glendale. Doubles play begins at 2:00 pm at the VC Tennis Center.

Ventura 4, Antelope Valley 5

Doubles
1. Leib/Schmidt (VC) def. Padilla /Bush (AVC), 8-2
2. McTigue/Emami (VC) lost to Smithley/Tejeda (AVC), 8-4
3. (VC) lost to Williams/Avina (AVC), default

Singles
1. Talia Lieb (VC) def. Nicole Padilla (AVC), 6-2, 6-1
2. Alexis Schmidt (VC) def. Sydney Bush (AVC), 3-6, 6-3, 6-3
3. Belladora Moga (VC) def. Naia Smithley (AVC), 6-2, 6-4
4. Marcie McTigue (VC) lost to Julie Tejeda (AVC), 6-7 (5), 6-1, 6-1
5. Dee Emami (VC) lost to Mary Williams  (AVC), 6-1, 6-3
6. (VC) lost to Arianett Avina (AVC), default