Oropeza and Fernando rally in doubles as Aztecs women's tennis beats Imperial Valley College

The Pima Community College women's tennis team (1-0) opened its 2017 season with a victory at home on Saturday.

The Aztecs defeated Imperial Valley College 7-2 at the West Campus tennis courts giving Ian Esquer his first win as Pima's head coach.

In singles competition, freshman Janine Fernando (Sabino HS) earned a win at No. 2 singles over Jackie Marquez 6-0, 6-2. Sophomore Ashley Ochoa (Tucson HS) defeated Jennica Vega 7-5, 6-1 at No.4 singles while freshman Jayme Shafer (Tucson HS) beat Priscilla Jaramillo 6-4, 6-4 at No. 5 singles. Freshman Elise Rodriguez (Flowing Wells HS) won at No. 6 singles over Rubi Ledesma 6-0, 6-1.

Freshman Emma Oropeza (Nogales HS) fell in her match at No. 1 singles to Gracie Favela 6-2, 6-4 and sophomore Dana Pineda (University HS) dropped her No. 3 singles match to Natalia Garcia in three sets 2-6, 6-3, 10-5.

The Aztecs swept through doubles competition as the No. 1 doubles team of Oropeza and Fernando rallied after trailing 3-6 to beat Favela and Marquez 9-8 (7-5). Pineda and Ochoa beat Garcia and Vega 8-2 at No. 2 doubles and Shafer and Rodriguez won at No. 3 doubles 8-0.

The Aztecs will host Mesa Community College on Tuesday, Feb. 28 to kick off ACCAC conference play. The match will be at the West Campus tennis courts at 1:30 p.m.