Antelopes net first win; women cruise

EL CAJON, Calif. -- Grand Canyon men's tennis team captured its first win, beating Grossmont College, 6-3.

The Antelopes won all three doubles matches, and claimed the Nos. 4-6 singles flights in impressive fashion. And the three singles matches they dropped were battles that showed not only improvement, but promise.

GCU's Jon Przybyl beat Daniel Fields 6-0, 6-1 at No. 4 singles. Andrew Zappala beat Michael Wohl 6-0, 6-3 at No. 5. Vlado Milenkovic beat Michael McCollum, 6-1, 6-1 at No. 6.

Grand Canyon women's team also beat Grossmont in an identical 6-3 decision.

Grossmont men's team was No. 2 in California last year.

"The guys had every reason to be unsure of their ability to close close out the match, with the tough teams they have been losing to this year," GCU coach Greg Prudhomme said, "but they finished strong by sweeping the doubles."

Grand Canyon's Eric Schroeder and Brian Kirby beat Daniel Bulthuis and Ryan Trias, 6-3, 6-3 at No. 1 duos. Zappala and Przybyl beat Fields and McCollum, 6-1, 6-1 at No. 2. Brian Green and Chris Green beat Wohl and David Corona, 6-2, 6-1.

Every GCU player recorded at least one win.

"The doubles training that we put an emphasis on in practice really came through," Prudhomme said. "I know our guys are getting better this season, but I'm happy for them that they put their first win on the board."

In the women's match, Stephanie Haldeman, Karen Peltin and Mandy Prudhomme each had two wins as Grand Canyon improved to 6-4 in all competitions.

Haldeman (pictured) beat Lacey McGill, 6-2, 6-3 at No. 1 singles. Peltin beat Kristina Yubezheva, 6-1, 6-1 at No. 4. Prudhomme beat Nicole Tosches, 6-3, 6-3 at No. 5. Amanda Jackson outlasted Yazi Gringes, 6-3, 4-6, 6-3 at No. 6.

"I'm very happy with the girls for bouncing back after the tough loss yesterday," Greg Prudhomme said. "They played great against the defending California state champs."

GCU's Veronica Brunk lost, 5-7, 7-5, 7-6 (11-9) in a three-and-a-half hour No. 3 singles match.

"Veronica did a fantastic job displaying the kind of attitude, effort and sportsmanship that our GCU program is trying to breed," Prudhomme said.

Grand Canyon will host College of St. Benedict Monday at 1 p.m. at Paseo Racquet Center in Glendale.

Men's Tennis

GCU at Grossmont College

2/27/09

El Cajon, CA

Singles

1. Kristian Zak, GCC def Eric Schroeder, GCU 7-5,6-1

2. Daniel Bulthuis, GCC def Brian Kirby, GCU 7-5,6-1

3. Ryan Trias, GCC def Luke Larm, GCU 6-4,5-7,11-9 (match tie-breaker)

4. Jon Przybyl, GCU def Daniel Fields, GCC 6-0,6-1

5. Andrew Zappala, GCU def Michael Wohl, GCC 6-0,6-3

6. Vlad Milenkovic, GCU def Mike McCollum, GCC 6-1,6-1

Doubles

1. Schroeder/Kirby, GCU def Bulthuis/Trias, GCC 6-3,6-3

2. Zappala/Przybyl, GCU def Fields/McCollum, GCC 6-1,6-1

3. Brian Green/Chris Green, GCU def Wohl/David Corona, GCC 6-2,6-1

Final Score

GCU 6, GCC 3

GCU Season Record: 1-7

Women's Tennis

GCU at Grossmont College

2/27/09

El Cajon, CA

Singles

1. Stephanie Haldeman, GCU def Lacey McGill, GCC 6-2,6-3

2. Danielle Bryan, GCC def Stefanie Griffin, GCU 6-2,6-2

3. Maddy Jacobs, GCC def Veronica Brunk, GCU 5-7,7-5,7-6(9)

4. Karen Peltin, GCU def Kristina Yubezheva, GCC 6-1,6-1

5. Mandy Prudhomme, GCU def Nicole Tosches, GCC 6-3,6-3

6. Amanda Jackson, GCU def Yazi Gringes, GCC 6-3,4-6,6-3

Doubles

1. Haldeman/Brunk, GCU def McGill/Bryan, GCC 8-4

2. Prudhomme/Peltin, GCU def Jacobs/Gringes, GCC 8-2

3. Yubezheva/Jessica Bickert, GCC def Jackson/Griffin, GCU 8-4

Final Score

GCU 6, GCC 3

GCU Season Record: 6-4

Grand Canyon University Athletics

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