RESULTS: vs. Sacramento State

GOLD RIVER, Calif. -- Northern Colorado's women's tennis program will have to settle for taking a single step of progress this season rather than a giant leap.

The Bears came up short 4-0 Saturday afternoon against top-seed Sacramento State during a Big Sky Conference Championship semifinal match at the Gold River Raquet Club.

So, for now, Northern Colorado's record-setting appearance in the conference semifinal -- which it earned Friday with a quarterfinal victory against Eastern Washington -- will have to do this year for Brenda Vlasak's program.

The Hornets, who had a bye to the semifinals, quickly took the doubles point Saturday afternoon with wins at the Nos. 1 and 2 spots against the Bears (7-15, 4-4).

Sacramento State’s Joyce Martinez and Clarisse Baca (No. 1) knocked off Northern Colorado's Tiffany Knop and Luiza Xavier 8-0, while Katrina Zheltova and Melissa Valenzuela (No. 2) defeated the Bears' Tabatha Knop and Manuela Santos 8-2.

In singles play, Joyce Martinez downed Xavier 6-0, 6-0 at No. 5, and Katrina Zheltova beat Tabatha Knop 6-3, 6-1 at No. 1.

Aileen Tsan clinched the win for Sacramento State with a 6-0, 6-1 victory against Northern Colorado freshman Jennifer Whateley.

Vlasak's program was playing in the Big Sky Championship in its second straight year of eligibility. The Bears weren’t officially allowed to compete in NCAA postseason play until last season because of NCAA reclassification rules.