Daria Panova walked into the Student Tennis Center on Saturday for the final home match of her Oregon career and told herself that she was going to give it her all.
The most decorated player in the history of the Oregon tennis program didn’t disappoint. She defeated UCLA’s Daniella Bercek, the
No. 32 singles player in the country, in straight sets, 6-1, 6-1.
However, as a team, No. 22-ranked Oregon (13-6 overall, 2-5 Pacific-10 Conference) could not continue the winning trend against No. 13 UCLA (12-4), suffering a 5-2 loss on Saturday’s “Senior Day.”
Panova, a three-time Pac-10 singles champion, has been the cornerstone for the Oregon program since she arrived in Eugene four years ago.
“I feel kind of weird; it’s my last match,” 22-year-old Panova said. “It’s really crazy that I won it, and I’m really happy about it, but I still can’t get used to the idea that I won’t play here ever again.”
This season, Panova has continued her success. She has compiled a 13-5 singles record in dual match play and is the program’s leader for most victories in a season (32) and career victories (90).
Oregon head coach Nils Schyllander said Panova has been a huge part of getting the program to its top-25 status.
“We wouldn’t be where we’re at today without her,” Schyllander said. “Obviously, all of her accomplishments has put us on the national map, and recruits (are) looking our way who have never looked our way before.”
The Ducks also celebrated the careers of two other seniors, Davina Mendiburu and Ester Bak. Mendiburu has anchored the middle of the lineup since she arrived during the 2000-01 season, when she was voted the team’s MVP. She sits third all-time in most career victories at Oregon with 68.
Duo Mendiburu and Bak ranks first all-time in career doubles
victories with 34.
Schyllander said his seniors have been instrumental in taking the program to another level and representing the team well both on and off the court.
“All of them has meant a lot in a different way,” the third-year head coach said. “Davina and Ester have been leaders on this team for many years now. The way they take care of themselves and take care of their academics have been a big part of what we have built.”
The weekend didn’t end the way the Ducks wanted. Oregon nearly pulled off another upset Friday, but fell 5-2 to No. 4 USC, a national title contender.
Oregon started off strong, taking a 1-0 lead by winning the doubles point. The Ducks won the first set in four of the six singles matches.
However, USC then demonstrated why it is one of the nation’s top five teams. The Women of Troy came back to win five singles matches and captured the victory. Bak was the only Duck to win a singles match when she defeated USC freshman Taylynn Snyder in straight sets, 6-1, 6-3, at the
No. 6 position.
“Obviously, we gave them all that they can handle,” Schyllander said. “It came down to a couple of three-setters, but we played our hearts out, and they showed why they’re No. 4 in the country with the pressure on them.”
The Ducks lost each of the three matches that went to three sets, including sophomore Dominika Dieskova at the No. 2 position, who lost
to USC’s Lindsey Nelson, 2-6,
6-1, 6-2.
“There were a couple of close games in the second set. Every single game was close,” Dieskova said. “I did my best, I played my heart out, and this time I didn’t win, but I played a very good match. It was a good experience, and I can learn a lot from this match.”
Despite losing to two higher-ranked teams, Schyllander said the Ducks need to continue playing strong among the nation’s elite.
“We’ve risen to another level,” he said. “We’re not satisfied to lose these close ones anymore — we want to win these now.”