Amanda Augustus

Sophomores Jessica Alsola and Katja Wiersholm traveled across the country to represent Cal, participating in both singles and doubles matches. Alsola won the consolation singles championship, continuing to prove herself as a stellar player.

Cal women’s tennis got its season underway this past weekend at its home Hellman Tennis Complex and Channing Tennis Courts.

Cal goes into this season as the defending Pac-12 conference regular-season champions. As all returning players, the Bears are hoping to perform once well once again this year, starting off with the Cal Fall Invitational.

A world top-100 doubles ranking, 20 professional tournament wins and all four Grand Slams later, she continues her tennis career as Cal women’s tennis head coach.

Both players had commendable matches, but ended their runs relatively quickly: Alsola in the first round, Giavara in the third.

The stakes are high: Should they reach the round of 16, they would be selected for the All-American team, and a tournament win earns a wildcard into this year’s U.S. Open Championship.

Coming off the back of becoming regular season’s Pac-12 champions — with an 18-7 record in the spring — the Bears had hoped to continue their run in the NCAA national championship. Cal was bested by No. 6 North Carolina State 4-0 in Raleigh, leaving the tournament in the sweet 16.

Blanking the Lumberjacks with a 4-0 win, the Bears dealt seemingly just as easy with their second round opponents Texas Tech on Saturday, earning a trip to North Carolina for the round of 16.

The team once again earned the honor of hosting after a successful season and being seeded 11th. Going in the tournament with a 16-7 record, and as regular season Pac-12 champions, Cal has its sights set high.

Beating Utah in its first match 4-0, Cal women's tennis couldn’t quite bypass Arizona State and fell 3-4 in the semifinals.