SANTA CLARA, Calif. – Friday marked the first day of West Coast Conference play for the Gaels, as they headed to Santa Clara to face off against the Broncos. 
 
The Gaels were all business as they played strong tennis throughout the afternoon, as they went on to win 4-0.
 
DANGEROUS DOUBLES
On the double's courts, the Gaels jumped out to early leads and held on to them. In the #1 matchup, the reigning WCC Doubles team of the week, Jordan Harris and Lene Mari Hovda, took care of business against Santa Clara's Finley Kalinic/Giulia Hayer. The SMC pairing played confident tennis from the firsts serve as they won the match 6-2. 
 
In the #2 matchup, SMC's Stefanie Silva and Iman Khan took on the Bronco's JennaMarie Gordon and Velizara Fileva. Despite a few solid opening games from the Gaels, Gordon and Fileva were able to compose themselves and work their way back into the match. Once momentum was on their side, they were off to the races, beating Silva and Khan 6-4.
 
The doubles point hinged on the #3 matchup, as Olivia Rook and Tian Yu Dong took on Dasee Carter and Kacey Feng. Both teams fought hard for every point down the stretch, and in the end the experience of Rook and Dong paid off, as they went on to win the match 6-4, clinching the vital doubles point for the Gaels in the process.
 
SLAMMIN SINGLES
The Gaels faced some adversity throughout singles, but they were able to pull through when it mattered most.  
 
No player was hotter than Stefanie Silva, who dominated her singles match against Kacey Feng. Silva didn't let the Bronco's player win a single game, as the sophomore dominated the match, 6-0, 6-0. 
 
Jordan Harris was lights out in her match against JennaMarie Gordon, as the experienced fifth year made quick work of her opposition, winning the match 6-4, 6-2. Harris' win clinched the overall victory for the Gaels as well. 
 
The three other matches remained unfinished, but a handful of Gaels were making runs towards victory. Lene Mari Hovda had just lost the first set in a decisive tiebreak 9-7, but was bouncing back at the beginning of the second.
 
Olivia Rook also found herself ahead in the third set when the matches were called off. Rook got off to a great start, winning the opening set 6-1 before her opponent Giulia Hayer bounced back to win the second 6-4. 
 
Tian Yu Dong was in the heat of battle in her match as well, as the Bronco's Dasee Carter was able to claim the first set 6-1. The two were all square at five games apiece in the second when the match was called off. 
 
 
Saint Mary's (5-5) def. Santa Clara Broncos (0-10)
Mar. 24, 2023 in Santa Clara, Calif. 
Degheri Tennis Center
 
Doubles
 

1. Jordan Harris/Lene Mari Hovda (SMC) def. Finley Kalinic/Giulia Hayer (SCU), 6-2
2. JennaMarie Gordon/Velizara Fileva (SCU) def. Stefanie Silva/Iman Khan (SMC), 6-4
3. Olivia Rook/Tian Yu Dong (SMC) def. Dasee Carter/Kacey Feng (SCU), 6-4 *

 
Order of Finish – 1, 2, 3 *
 
Singles 
 

1. Jordan Harris (SMC) def. JennaMarie Gordon (SCU), 6-4, 6-2 ^
2. Lene Mari Hovda (SMC) / Velizara Fileva (SCU), Fileva leading 7-6, 1-1, uf
3. Olivia Rook (SMC) / Giulia Hayer (SCU), 6-1, 4-6, 3-0, uf
4. Tian Yu Dong SMC) / Dasee Carter (SCU), Carter leading 6-1, 5-5, uf
5. Stefanie Silva (SMC) def. Kacey Feng (SCU), 6-0, 6-0
6. Madison Weekley (SMC), win by forfeit 

 
Order of Finish – 6, 5, 1 ^
 
^ Clinched overall win
 
NEXT UP
The Gaels are back in action tomorrow as they head to San Francisco to face the Dons in what's set to be another intense WCC matchup.