The defending national champion Fresno Pacific women's tennis team started off the 2011 campaign with a 8-1 victory at Sonoma State on Friday.

The Sunbirds had little trouble with the NCAA Division 2 Seawolves, winning all six singles matches and two doubles matches. Sara Celma, playing in the number one spot, set the tone by defeating SSU' Dana Carollo without dropping a set (6-0, 6-0).

Marie Boura did the same in the number three spot, beginning her Sunbird career with a quick win. Returner Cristina Valladeres made quick work of Sonoma' Haley Hickock in the two spot and newcomer Yumiko Justin followed suit playing at number four.

Elizabeth McFeeters and Heidi Jackson rounded out the singles play for FPU, each winning their matches by scores of 6-0, 6-2. Jackson and Erin Carlson suffered the team's lone loss of the day, 8-3 at #3 doubles.

Celma and Valladeres played at #1 doubles, winning 8-3 over Sonoma State's top two. McFeeters and Justin were victorious in the other doubles match.

The Sunbirds have a break in the schedule before playing at The Master's on February 8. The team's home opener will be on Saturday, February 12th against Westmont.


Tennis Match Results
Fresno Pacific vs Sonoma State
01/28/11 at Rohnert Park, Calif.

Fresno Pacific 8, Sonoma State 1

 Singles competition
1. CELMA, Sara (FPU) def. Dana Carollo (SSU) 6-0, 6-0
2. VALLADERES, Cristina (FPU) def. Haley Hickock (SSU) 6-1, 6-1
3. BOURA, Marie (FPU) def. Megan White (SSU) 6-0, 6-0
4. JUSTIN, Yumiko (FPU) def. Katya Welborn (SSU) 6-0, 6-1
5. McFEETERS, Elizabeth (FPU) def. Sheena Johnson (SSU) 6-0, 6-2
6. JACKSON, Heidi (FPU) def. Kim Alballat (SSU) 6-0, 6-2

 Doubles competition
1. CELMA, Sara/VALLADERES, Cristina (FPU) def. Dana Carollo/Haley Hickock (SSU) 8-3
2. JUSTIN, Yumiko/McFEETERS, Elizabeth (FPU) def. Megan White/Sheena Johnson (SSU) 8-4
3. Katya Welborn/Lauren Ha (SSU) def. CARLSON, Erin/JACKSON, Heidi (FPU) 8-3

Team Records:
Fresno Pacific 1-0
Sonoma State 0-1