SAN DIEGO – San Diego State women's tennis opens Mountain West play this weekend in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Aztecs will play New Mexico on Saturday at 9:30 a.m. PT and Air Force on Sunday at 9:30 a.m. PT.
The Season So Far
San Diego State heads into the two matches with a 7-4 overall record and ranked 49th nationally in the latest ITA rankings that were released on Tuesday morning. So far this season the Aztecs have knocked off four teams that have been ranked in the ITA rankings, including last time out when they took down No. 37 Purdue, 4-3. The ranking is the highest the Aztecs have been since the end of the 2012-13 season, when the Scarlet and Black where tabbed 40th after finishing 22-6 and making an NCAA Tournament appearance.
SDSU has also won three matches in a row, all by an identical scoreline of 4-3. The Aztecs beat Purdue, Tulsa and Furman by that margin, and of their seven wins on the year, four have been decided by just one point as the Scarlet and Black also took down Alabama 4-3 in the home opener. The Aztecs win over Alabama was head coach Peter Mattera's 400th career victory on The Mesa.
Picking Up Steam
Two Aztecs have earned Mountain West women's tennis player of the week in back-to-back weeks. Both Andjela Skrobonja and Dariya Detkovskaya have earned the honors. Skrobonja, a transfer from Florida International University, has posted a 5-0 record with doubles partner Velcea since the two of them have been paired together, all three of their wins have been at the third court in the rotation. As for singles play, Skrobonja is 7-4 entering Mountain West play, and is an impressive 6-2 at the No. 1 singles spot, having beat multiple power five opponents to start the year.
Detkovskaya has been just as good for the Aztecs, and has started 9-1 in singles play. She has won six of her 10 matches in straight sets, including her three of her past four matches. Additionally, Detkovskaya has wins over three power five programs' individuals this spring. The senior beat No. 17 in the nation Snow Han of USC in three sets, 4-6, 6-4, 12-10, to begin the season, Ole Pitak of Alabama in straight sets 6-3, 6-3 a week later, and most recently topped Katja Wiersholm of Cal in three sets, 4-6, 7-5, 10-8.
Scouting New Mexico and Air Force
The Lobos head into Saturday mornings match with a 7-2 record in 2023, and finished eighth in the Mountain West last season. They are led by third-year head coach Nicky Mayes, and Maud Vanduepette has posted a 6-0 record in singles play at the No. 2 and No. 3 slots in the rotation for New Mexico. As for Air Force, the Falcons are 4-8 in 2023 heading into Sunday's match, and finished fifth in the Mountain West last season. Air Force is led by head coach Kim Gidley, who is in her 25th season, while on the court Arianna Van Houwelin is 7-2 in dual matches to begin her season.