Bhunu Downs opponent, Mustangs Come Up Short in Hawaii

HONOLULU, Hawaii Graduate student Kim Bhunu(pictured above) defeated a ranked opponent in singles and freshman Alexandra Ozerets secured its 10th win of the season, but Cal Poly women’s tennis fell to Big West foe Hawai’i 5-2 on Friday at the UH Tennis Complex.

In a battle between the top two teams in the conference standings, the Rainbow Wahine (9-6, 6-1 Big West) managed to grab an early lead by winning the doubleheader.

In singles, Ozerets was able to earn the Mustangs’ first point in the doubles match, going for the win at No. 5. After dropping the first set, Ozerets won the second 6-3 and captured a 10-8 super tiebreaker victory to improve to 10-3 on the season and 6-3 at No. 5.

Bhunu picked up Cal Poly’s second singles victory, defeating Ana Vilcek, the nation’s No. 107 singles player, 6-4, 0-6, 7-6 (7-4) in a thrilling match at the No. 1 spot. It was Bhunu’s second win of the season over a ranked opponent. The win also allowed Bhunu to improve to 6-1 in his last eight singles matches.

Second year student Peyton Dunkle showed plenty of fight in his match at No. 4. After losing the first set, he rallied to win the second set 6-4 to force a super tiebreaker. Unfortunately, Dunkle survived a tight 10-point semifinal.

Melissa LaMette and the Ozerets, who are 6-2 this season, took a 5-4 lead in their dual meet at No. 3 as Hawai’i captured the doubleheader with wins at Nos. 1 and 2.

Cal Poly (7-7, 3-2 Big West) heads to Santa Clara on Sunday for a 1 p.m.