BERKELEY – California women's tennis senior Valentina Ivanov returned from international duty after representing New Zealand in the Billie Jean King Cup from Tuesday through Saturday of last week. Ivanov is back in time to play in her final regular-season match as a Golden Bear on Friday against Stanford at the Hellman Tennis Complex.
 
Competing at Moon Island Clay Park, in Changsha, China, New Zealand attempted to advance out of Asia/Oceania Group 1 to reach the playoffs of the tournament formerly known as the Fed Cup. New Zealand needed to finish in the top two of the six-team group to earn promotion but finished fourth with a 3-2 record.
 
Despite the overall result, Ivanov relished the latest opportunity to play for her country. She previously played for New Zealand in Billie Jean King Cup action last July.
 
"It's such an honor every time I get to represent New Zealand and put on those colors," Ivanov said. "You're just grateful you can be at the level and compete. This time we were playing in group one. It was a really high level. China had a team with four girls ranked in the top 100 of the WTA, so it was a really good experience to see that level and compete against some really good girls.
 
"It was a tough transition from the hard courts because I had to play on clay for a little bit in China. But overall, I'm grateful I was able to go and compete. I'm excited to be back this weekend for Stanford. I wouldn't miss that."
 
In New Zealand's opener against South Korea last Tuesday, Ivanov got the nod in singles but fell to Yeonwoo Ku, 6-4, 6-4, and the Kiwis lost, 3-0. New Zealand rebounded to defeat Oceania, 3-0, on Wednesday, as Ivanov paired with former Georgia Tech star Paige Hourigan to beat Mehetia Boosie and Ruby Coffin, 6-0, 6-1.
 
Against the host nation Thursday, Ivanov dropped a 6-0, 6-1 match to Lin Zhu as New Zealand fell to China, 3-0.
 
The Kiwis finished strong, winning their last two matches including Friday's contest vs. Chinese Taipei. While Ivanov fell to Joanna Garland, 7-5, 6-2, New Zealand eventually claimed a 2-1 victory. With Ivanov sitting out, New Zealand defeated India, 2-1, on Saturday to complete its campaign in China.
 
At Cal this season, Ivanov has compiled records of 15-7 in singles and 17-6 in doubles, and she's ranked 49th in the latest ITA singles poll. She's excelled in her partnership with Jessica Alsola, with the tandem posting a 13-4 record at court-two doubles. Ivanov was named the Pac-12 Player of the Week on March 26, as she swept all three of her singles matches and all three of her doubles matches with Alsola in Cal wins over Hawaii, Colorado and Utah.
 
Friday's match between ninth-ranked Cal and third-ranked Stanford is the regular-season finale for her and Hannah Viller Moeller. The Pac-12 Championship follows from April 24-27 in Ojai, and the Bears' success this season could result in them hosting a few rounds of the NCAA Championship in early May.
 
"It's definitely bittersweet," Ivanov said of the impending end of her college career. "It's been a long four years, and I'm excited for post-college tennis and life. But at the same time, it's going to be really sad to know it's going to be the last regular-season match of my career and same for Hannah. I think we're going to put our hearts out there on the court. It's probably going to be a little emotional at the start.
 
"But it's also going to be fun. And it's nice we have our Senior Day against Stanford. We can really just fight for the team, for the Bears and for the girls for the last time in the regular season."
 
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