'Dog briefs: Women's tennis star tops No. 1 player

Published online on Friday, Nov. 06, 2009

Fresno State's Anastasia Petukhova wasn't intimidated playing the nation's top-ranked tennis player. After all, she counts Northwestern's Maria Mosolova among her best friends.

Petukhova, in fact, appeared perfectly at ease as she pulled off a 6-4, 7-5 upset of her fellow Russian on Thursday to open the ITA National Intercollegiate Indoor Championships in New Haven, Conn.

Petukhova is No. 22 in the nation but the senior has beaten four ranked opponents -- including two in the top 15 -- this year. She and Mosolova are from Moscow and have known each other for years. That familiarity aided Petukhova, her coach said.

"She was playing a friend, so she was able to stay calm and focus," coach Simon Thibodeau said.

Petukhova faces No. 17 Maria Sanchez of USC in today's second round.

Fresno State will host BYU in men's hoops

A mix-up in Los Angeles is good news for Fresno State men's basketball fans, who will get another chance to see the Bulldogs at home this year against a quality opponent.

Fresno State announced its Dec. 12 game against Brigham Young, originally at USC's Galen Center, has been moved to the Save Mart Center. BYU cited "unforeseen issues between the event promoter and the Galen Center."

Season ticket holders will have a chance to buy single-game tickets, as it won't be included in the regular package. The public sale will begin Nov. 23.

The schools will make it a home-and-home series, with the Bulldogs traveling to Provo for next season's opener Nov. 12, 2010.

'Dogs fall at WAC soccer tournament

Fresno State's women's soccer season came to an end, as the Bulldogs lost 2-1 to host Boise State in the opening round of the Western Athletic Conference tournament.

Junior Janna Sadowitz scored in the 65th minute to tie it for Fresno State (6-13), but Brandy Hickcox tallied the decisive goal off a free kick in the 89th for the Broncos (11-6-4).

"We have to look back at this year as a development year," Bulldogs coach Brian Zwaschka said. "We have a young team, an inexperienced team, and now we can look back and say these players have gotten some great match experience."

'Dogs sunk by Cal

Defending NCAA and Pac-10 champion Cal won every event in a 166-111 dual-meet victory over Fresno State in Berkeley.

Cal coach Teri McKeever previously coached both the Fresno State men's and women's teams.

Bulldogs senior Rebecca Strmiska (Bullard High) set a personal best in the 1,000 free by nearly 16 seconds with a time of 11:41.14. Freshman Jen Hicks topped her best in the 500 free by 2 seconds, finishing in 5:21.53.