BOX SCORE

ROHNERT PARK, Calif. — In her transition as the No. 1 player for Dominican University of California women's tennis team as a freshman to a sophomore, Irina Morozova has decided to slow down her thinking process.

It yielded quick results on Saturday. Morozova won both her singles and doubles matches in the Lady Penguins' season-opening 6-3 loss to Sonoma State. She defeated the Seawolves' Megan White 6-2, 6-1 in No. 1 singles after Morozova and her partner, Gaby Verspieren, ousted Brooke McBride and former Marin Catholic star Stephanie Hoffmire 8-5 at No. 1 doubles.

Senior Jamie Fernandez and freshman Jobeth Pascual netted the Penguins' other point. They beat SSU's White and Krista Cole 8-4 at No. 2 doubles.

“I am encouraged how we played doubles today, winning two of the three matches against one of the best teams in our region," said Head Coach Greg Kennett. "If we continue to progress at this rate we could have a memorable season.”

For Morozova, it was a great start to a new season.

“In the past two semesters, I've learned a lot. I just tend to appreciate this game more,” Morozova said. “It's not about thinking so much or just trying to win so hard as I did as a freshman. It's more about me taking one tennis ball at a time. Step by step.”

In her singles match with White, Morozova scored a crucial point leading 3-2 in the first set. White was gaining momentum, serving at 30-15 when the two engaged in a long and entertaining rally. Morozova won the key point with a brilliant drop shot from the baseline then wound up winning the game with a backhand crosscourt winner.

“It was time to go and be the strongest one,” Morozova said. “I thought I broke her (with the drop shot) and that gave me confidence. That was my goal: To stay mentally tough both in singles and doubles.”

In doubles, Morozova and Verspieren started slow, losing the first game, but they reeled off seven games in a row, behind Verspieren's serving and Morozova's play at the net. Three times the Penguins duo broke the serve of Hoffmire, who, coming off shoulder surgery, couldn't serve overhand.

The Seawolves' pair rallied to win four successive games before Morozova, trailing love-15, served out the match. Morozova and Verspieren also are classmates, both majoring in biological sciences.

“She's awesome. We have really good chemistry,” Morozova said. “We lost our focus in that set but we came back together and didn't make any more mistakes.”

The Lady Penguins return to the court on Tuesday, February 7 when they host Sierra College in an exhibition match at Marin Tennis Center beginning at 12:30 p.m.