Women’s tennis battles nation’s top team


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After a challenging weekend against the University of South Florida and the University of Florida, the No. 11 Women of Troy return home to Marks Stadium Friday in a nonconference match against the No. 1-ranked Cal.

The Golden Bears are undefeated on the season, and have moved up to No. 1 in the rankings after winning the ITA National Women’s Team Indoor Championship. The Women of Troy had a commanding 6-1 win over USF with the lone loss due to a retirement from Rianna Valdez. The next day was a different story, with Florida, a team many consider the favorites for the national title, completing a 7-0 sweep against the Trojans.

USC will be playing its first match in the newly renovated Marks Stadium, which was dedicated and officially completed on Tuesday. Both the men’s and women’s team received upgraded locker rooms as well as meeting rooms and lounges. For fans, canopies were added across the seating area to provide shade, and new entrances enhance the aesthetics of the stadium.

Coach Richard Gallien noted the difference between his team this year and last year at this point.

“We got to the top of the nation quickly, but there was always a bulls-eye,” he said. “[This year], we are the hunter.”

Cal comes in strong with four players ranked in ITA’s top 125, but USC counters with five. The Golden Bears have the two top-ranked players in the matchup, senior Klara Fabikova and junior Maegan Manasse, ranked an impressive fifth and 13th in the nation, respectively. Freshman Olivia Hauger and junior Denise Starr come in ranked 102nd and 121st, giving the Trojans a challenge across the board for singles. In addition Cal will try to get on the board early with the second-ranked doubles team of Manasse and Starr, which will be a difficult task for the 11th-ranked USC team of senior captain Giuliana Olmos and sophomore Gabby Smith.

The Trojans will be up for the challenge, with five players ranked in the top 100 this week. Olmos leads the way for the Women of Troy at No. 38, followed by sophomores Madison Westby at No. 62 and Smith at No. 87. Two freshmen also cracked the rankings: Rianna Valdez and Jessica Failla at 90 and 95. Junior Zoë Katz will likely be the sixth Trojan singles player to complete a solid lineup.

“Playing on a team is a new deal [for the younger players] … and although we have the right type of character, there is still some adjustment,” Gallien said.

The skill levels of both teams should bring an exciting match for fans between two of the nation’s top teams and the two teams at the top of the Pac-12 standings last season. Last season’s matchup between these two teams resulted in Cal’s only loss in the conference on its way to a 9-1 Pac-12 record, falling short only to the 10-0 Trojans in a thrilling 4-3 USC victory.

“We have a motivated and positive group that is focusing on what we can control and trying to get better day by day,” Gallien said.

While Friday’s contest is not a conference match, a win would be crucial for the Trojans’ confidence in their quest to repeat as Pac-12 champions for the 11th straight time, and jump back into the top 10 rankings.