The CSUN women’s tennis team started the season with two wins, beating CS Fullerton 6-1 in its season-opener and sweeping the UC San Diego Tritons 7-0 in its home opener.

“We did what we were supposed to do in these two matches,” said head coach Gary Victor. “We have a strong team – we’re nationally ranked.”

On Wednesday the Matadors played their first match of the season at the Matador Tennis Complex. Senior Kanykey Koichumanova, co-captain of the team, played in the number one singles spot and defeated junior Ina Dan, 6-4, 7-5. In the second spot, CSUN junior Sandra Kukla, a transfer from Texas-San Antonio, beat Triton freshman Kimmi Dao 6-2, 6-1, and freshman Nina Jaworowski won against freshman Dalya Perelman 7-5, 6-1.

The Matadors’ other co-captain, senior Canna Futura, won her match against Justine Ang Fonte 6-1, 7-5 and sophomore Kristy Fournell defeated freshman Natalie Varnay 6-3, 6-4. Freshman Brooke Doane came back from a first set loss to win a tight match against UCSD junior Tessa Tran, 3-6, 7-6 (7-4) and 10-7.

The Matadors also won the doubles point, winning all three matches in straight sets. Junior Victoria Brymer teamed up with Futura for the number one doubles spot and beat the Tritons’ team of junior Ina Dan and freshman Taskeen Bains, 8-3. Koichumanova and Doane beat Dao and freshman Valerie Tang 8-3 and Kukla and Jaworowski defeated Justine Ang Fonte and Perelman 8-2.

CSUN opened the season on the road against Cal State Fullerton on Feb. 7. The host Titans were only able to score one point on their home court as the Matadors took the match 6-1.

In singles play, the only Matador to lose was Koichumanova, defeated by Titan junior Shelley Injejikian, 6-4 and 6-2. In other singles matches, CSUN won in straight sets, led by Brymer’s win against freshman Erin Wiesener 6-4 and 6-1 in the No. 2 spot. Kukla defeated sophomore Jerusha Cruz 6-1 and 6-2 in the No. 3 spot, while Fukuta won against freshman Karina Akhmedova 6-1, 6-0 in the fourth spot. Jaworowski defeated sophomore Brandy Andrews 6-0, 6-0 and Fournell played in the sixth spot, beating freshman Lani Agsalud 6-0 and 6-0.

In doubles action, CSUN dominated by sweeping the matches. Koichumanova and Doane defeated Cruz and Andrews 8-2. Kukla and Jaworowski won their debut match against Wiesener and junior Kathleen Doran 8-0.

With a season start of 2-0, this year’s squad looks impressive. Northridge is ranked no. 72 in the Feb. 5 ITA rankings. Three other Big West schools are ranked higher than CSUN, with UC Irvine at No. 36, Long Beach State at No. 37 and Cal Poly at No. 68.

Victor said he believes his team is stronger than the rankings indicate.

“We’re more of a top 50 team,” Victor said. “The rankings are based on last year.”

Victor said this year’s team is much more talented than last year’s and has more depth.

“Our depth is through the roof,” Victor said. “We’re so much better.”

CSUN returns several players who ended the 2007 season with strong records, including Koichumanova who played in the No. 2 spot and had a 14-2 season record. Koichumanova tied the school record for consecutive wins, posting a 13-match winning streak.

Furtura ended 2007 with a 13-4 record in the No. 3 singles spot and teamed up with Koichumanova for a 6-1 record in the No. 2 doubles spot.

Fournell also paired with Futura in doubles last season, together posting a 7-1 record.

Transfers Brymer and Kukla bring further experience to the team.

Brymer came to CSUN from University of Washington. She was ranked No. 37 in doubles during her freshman year and No. 15 during her junior career. Several freshman round out the team.

“For a new team, about 60 percent new, it’s a very close unit,” Victor said.

The 11th year CSUN coach said even though Long Beach, Irvine and Cal Poly are strong teams in the conference, he believes this Matador team is capable of winning a championship,

“I think we have a great shot at winning the Big West,” Victor said. “We have the physical ability to beat those teams. We didn’t have that last year.”

The Matadors hosted conference rival Cal Poly on Saturday at noon. Results were not available at press time.