FRESNO, Calif. The Kansas State women’s tennis team ended its week-long trip to California on a high note Thursday afternoon with a 5-2 win over UC Santa Barbara at Fresno State’s Wathen Tennis Center.

The win improved K-State to 4-8 on the year and snapped a six-match losing streak for the Wildcats. UCSB slipped to 7-9 with the loss.

“We go into every match with two primary objectives, to play our best and to win,” said K-State head coach Steve Bietau. “With the difficulties we have had this season any win is welcome, but it's just as critical to make advances in the way we play. Fortunately Emily and Hayley came through for us at three to clinch the doubles point.”

Kansas State jumped out to an early lead by taking the double’s point, 2-1.

The K-State duo of Maria Rosenberg and Paulina Castillejos got things going for the Wildcats with an 8-4 win over UCSB’s Andrea Pintar and Leslie Damion in the top spot. Hayley McIver and Emily Mickelson then combined for their first doubles win of the season to sew up the point for K-State on court three with an 8-6 victory over Amy Vyhnis and Kristen Wilson.

In singles, Kansas State swept the Nos. 2-5 spots to clinch the match.

Hayley McIver knocked off Damion 6-3, 6-3 on court 4 to keep the ball rolling for the Wildcats, but UCSB responded with wins on courts 1 and 6 to square the match.

Three straight three-set wins by the Wildcats followed, however, to secure the win for K-State.

Jessica Simosa gutted out a 6-0, 3-6, 6-1 win over Pintar to improve to 8-4 in the No. 2 position, Castillejos held off Jen Kuhle 4-6, 6-3, 6-3 on court 3 and Judith Diaz defeated Wilson 6-1, 4-6, 7-6 (5) at No. 5.

The Kansas State women’s tennis team returns to action on March 30, when the Wildcats host Missouri at 3 p.m. on the Washburn Tennis Courts to open a three-match home stand.

Women’s College Tennis

March 25, 2004

Kansas State 5, UC Santa Barbara 2

Wathen Tennis Center

Fresno, Calif.

Doubles (Kansas State wins doubles point, 2-1)

1) Rosenberg/Castillejos (K-State) def. Pintar/Damion (UCSB), 8-4

2) Greunig/Kuhle (UCSB) def. Simosa/Diaz (K-State), 9-7

3) McIver/Mickelson (K-State) def. Vyhnis/Wilson (UCSB), 8-6

Singles

1) Marelle Gruenig (UCSB) def. Maria Rosenberg (K-State), 7-6(1), 6-4

2) Jessica Simosa (K-State) def. Andrea Pintar (UCSB), 6-0,3-6,6-1

3) Paulina Castillejos  (K-State) def. Jen Kuhle (UCSB), 4-6,6-3,6-3

4) Hayley McIver (K-State) def. Leslie Damion (UCSB), 6-3,6-3

5) Judith Diaz (K-State) def. Kristen Wilson (UCSB), 6-1,4-6,7-6(6)

6) Amy Vyhnis (UCSB) def. Aveen Alkhatib  (K-State), 6-3,6-0