In two dominating performances, UC Davis’ Josh Albert and UC Irvine’s Kristina Smith received Big West Athletes of the Week accolades for men’s and women’s tennis. each competing in two singles matches and two doubles matches.
Albert’s Triple-Threat Garners Weekly Honor
UC Davis senior Josh Albert grabs the Big West Men’s Tennis Athlete of the Week honors after posted two singles wins last week in three set battles. This is Albert’s first recognition for the Aggies this season for player of the week.
Albert started against Saint Mary’s Samuel Bloore at the sixth position, with a come from behind battle (3-6,6-3, 6-1). He continued, moving up to the No. 5 position to take a 6-0, 2-6, 6-4 win over Bernardo Saraiva from San Francisco. The
Manhattan Beach native also added a doubles win with partner Toki Sherbakov over USF’s team of Samuelsson and Knowiman.
Smith Awarded Second Athlete of the Week Recognition
For her second honors this season, UC Irvine’s Kristina Smith picked up this week’s Big West Women’s Tennis Athlete of the Week after two doubles and two singles wins last week.
In her singles, the Laguna Hills junior put out two identical performances against conference woes UC Santa Barbara and Cal Poly with a 6-3 win in set one followed by a 6-0 win in set two.
Doubles partner, Franziska Goettsching and Smith were perfect in their two doubles matches against same conference competitors. UCI put together a string of seven wins in duo’s eight matchups last week.
Her overall record stands at 7-4, three losses to ranked opponents, and 4-1 as the No. 1, with the single loss also to a ranked opponent.