Women’s tennis advances to Big Sky title game with 4-0 victory over Eastern Washington

Joyce Martinez Gutierrez, serves the ball in a doubles match against Eastern Washington on Saturday.:

Joyce Martinez Gutierrez, serves the ball in a doubles match against Eastern Washington on Saturday.:

Cameron Ross

The Sacramento State women’s tennis team defeated Eastern Washington 4-0 in the Big Sky Conference tournament semi-finals Saturday at Gold River Racquet Club.

Juniors Joyce Martinez Gutierrez and Karina Jarlkaganova and sophomore Katrina Zheltova had singles victories for the Hornets.

Zheltova teamed with freshman Melissa Valenzuela to win the No. 1 doubles match 8-1 and Martinez and Jarlkaganova won the No. 2 doubles match 8-2 to clinch the doubles point.

“Everyone was playing well today,” Valenzuela said.

The victory was the team’s 51st in a row against Big Sky competition dating back to 2002.

This will be the seventh consecutive appearance in the Big Sky Championship match by Sac State.

“I am confident for tomorrow,” Valenzuela said.

The Hornets will face Northern Arizona in the final match at 10 a.m. today at Gold Rivet Racquet Club.

Cameron Ross can be reached at [email protected]