SAN DIEGO— On Saturday morning, the Aztecs opened their season with a home match versus crosstown team Division II Point Loma Nazarene. The result? A clean 7–0 sweep by the Aztecs, making this the second year in a row in which the Aztecs have opened their season with a win against PLNU.
Among the successful teams, this fall’s Mountain West doubles champions Jo‑Yee Chan and Vessa Turley. The duo was up 5-2 against PLNU’s Anna Pallencaoe and Emely Valencia Andrejeva (PLNU) when the team competition ended. The secret to the team’s success? Chemistry.
After the match, Chan and Turley revealed that despite their duo being recently formed, they’ve built their partnership on a solid foundation of trust. The team first played together in October’s Mountain West Tournament. Despite the class difference, the freshman–senior team have learned from each other and come out better for it.
“I didn’t really know what to expect at all going into (the Mountain West Tournament),” Turley said. “And I felt like just coming out and trying to play confident was the biggest thing. Not showing any nerves. Trusting my partner was also really big. Especially because she’s been in these circumstances, so trying to trust her and take her advice while being myself.”
Their win at the Mountain West Tournament gave them momentum they needed to win the 2025 ITA Conference Masters Doubles Championship in November and qualify for the Fall NCAA tournament. The pair fell in the first round of the NCAAs, so heading into the new season, nerves were understandably high.
“I felt a bit nervous and I could feel my hands sweating before starting,” Turley admitted. “But in my head, I kind of just told myself, and it’s kind of funny, your brain doesn’t really know the difference between nervousness and excitement. It made it more comfortable, and I knew I was really excited to play.”
Chan echoed that sentiment, focusing on the team-first mentality that has shaped her senior season. “I’m really proud of showing up for my teammates today. I wasn’t necessarily proud of the way I played today, but I like to support them as much as I can.”
Looking toward the rest of the season, the Aztecs will continue with an away match versus UCLA on Sunday.
Chan steps into each match driven by the joy of competition, not fear. “I love the challenge of playing away. You’re in a new environment, and there’s other fans there, so you’ve got to be mentally tougher at times, so it’s fun to go away and get a win.”
Chan added that she hopes to bring even more fire into the next match. “One thing I would change is to come out with even better energy. We beat [UCLA] last year 4–3, and they’re going to want to come for us for sure. Being solid and supportive is what’s going to get us through tomorrow.”
Turley, meanwhile, is focused on playing bold. “In terms of doing this a bit differently, since [UCLA is] necessarily a bigger team, is staying aggressive on big points. I get less nervous when I play teams that are necessarily better, so just being aggressive and acting as if I’m the better player.”
The pair ended the interview with a moment that summed up their dynamic perfectly.
Chan: “You’re getting so good!”
Turley: “Thank you!”
Doubles Results
Jo-Yee Chan/Vessa Turley (SDSU) vs. Anna Pallencaoe/Emely Valencia Andrejeva (PLNU) DNF 5-2
Jayna Clemens/Ninon Martinache (SDSU) def. Alina Kupfer/Perla Conde Vendrell (PLNU) 6-1
Gloria Alogo/Liisa Varul (SDSU) def. Melissa Zirkle/Zoe Moley (PLNU) 6-0
Singles Results
Jo-Yee Chan (SDSU) def. Anna Pallencaoe (PLNU) 6-3, 6-3
Ninon Martinache (SDSU) def. Emely Valencia Andrejeva (PLNU) 6-3, 6-0
Jayna Clemens (SDSU) def. Perla Conde Vendrell (PLNU) 6-0, 6-2
Vesa Gjinaj (SDSU) def. Melissa Zirkle (PLNU) 6-0, 6-2
Teja Tirunelveli (SDSU) def. Zoe Moley (PLNU) 6-0, 6-0
Vessa Turley (SDSU) def. PLNU by default
Order of finish: Doubles: (3,2) Singles: (6,5,2,4,1,3)