Last season, the Cal State Fullerton women’s tennis team faced serious obstacles from the get-go.
The team had been without a head coach for two months when Ellie Johnson was hired three weeks into the fall 2024 semester. With the players and the coaches all playing catch-up, the Titans lurched to a 10-10 overall record and finished 4-5 in Big West dual meets. They were eliminated by Cal State Northridge in the opening round of the conference championship tournament.
“It was challenging for me and the players. It took time to get used to the players and the program. The players were without a coach for two crucial months, and it had an impact on their fitness. We had to load up on practice and play,” said Johnson, who previously guided programs at Concordia University Irvine and Westmont College in Santa Barbara.
Fast-forward a year, however, and it’s advantage Fullerton. The Titans lead the Big West with a 4-0 record. Overall, they are 11-3 and notched nine straight wins before losing to Sacramento State last week in a non-conference match.
“The winning streak was an achievement, but it was even more special that we won in a lot of different ways. We had some dominant matches and some close matches. We won one match on a very windy day. We gained a lot of confidence from those wins,” said Johnson, who works with Patrick Tierro, second-year assistant coach.
Cal State Fullerton, which has a geographically diverse lineup, has built up momentum this year, said Dana Kunza, a sophomore from Montebello. “Last season, we didn’t have a coach in the summer or when school started. This year, we had a strong start, and it has just carried on.”
Milena Gevorgyan, a senior who is in her fourth year at Cal State Fullerton, cited multiple factors for the turnaround. “We are all very talented and are in a groove and a rhythm. And we have good team depth. The players are very close and trust each other. That deep connection is a key element that will help us going down the stretch. That extends to Coach Ellie, who is an amazing human being. She is very kind and understanding,” said Gevorgyan, who hails from Vagharshapat, Armenia.
Seha Yu, a junior from Wonju, Gangwon-do, South Korea, agreed that the team chemistry is excellent. “We have a good connection, communicate well, have fun and understand each other really well. The coaches listen to how we feel and what we want to do. They are always willing to help us improve and get better,” said Yu, who is in her third year as a Titan.
The Titans will close out its regular season with a road trip to Long Beach State and home matches against Cal Poly, UC Santa Barbara and Hawaii. None is expected to be easy.
“Toward the end of the season, everyone is physically and mentally tired. If we push ourselves and fight for every single point, that will help a lot,” said junior Emilie Lugon-Moulin, a midseason transfer last year from Concordia University.
Read more about the women’s tennis team on the Titans Athletics website.