INDIAN WELLS, Calif. --- UCI ran the gauntlet of emotions on Saturday in its semifinal match against third-seeded Hawai'i, but in the end prevailed with a 4-3 victory at Indian Wells Tennis Garden.
UC Irvine (17-6, 7-1) made quick work of doubles, especially the duo of Sarah Gong and Brooke Schweyer as they scored an 8-0 win at No. 2 doubles, as part of the doubles sweep to earn the first point.
The Rainbow Wahine (11-9) made a strong statement in singles scoring straight-set wins at Nos. 1, 4, and 6 singles to jump out to a 3-1 lead. In the process, No. 4 singles Ali Facey had to retire due to injury setting the 'Eaters back.
Her teammates would respond as Kat Facey at No. 5 singles and Franziska Goettsching at No. 3 singles pulled out straight-set wins of their own to tie the match up, 3-3.
Senior Marivick Mamiit kept the comeback alive with a big 6-3 win in the second set to erase an opening-set loss and send the match to a deciding third set. Mamiit found herself in an early hole down 2-1 in the set, but she would turn on the jets and close out the set and match with the final five points to complete the comeback.
All that's left for the Anteaters is the Big West Tournament final against a familiar foe in top-seeded Long Beach State on Sun. Apr. 27. The appearance is UCI's 10th in the last 13 seasons, and it will be the seventh straight year that the 'Eaters and 49ers have met in the final, 10th overall. The match takes place at Indian Wells Tennis Garden and will begin at 9:00 a.m.
(2) UC IRVINE 4, (3) HAWAI'I 3
April 26, 2014
Indian Wells Tennis Garden
Doubles
1 Ali Facey/Franziska Goettsching (UCI) vs. Paulina Petriskova/Xenia Suworowa (UH) – 6-5 (unf.)
2 Sarah Gong/Brooke Schweyer (UCI) def. Rebecca Faltusz/Cindy Nguyen (UH) – 8-0
3 Kat Facey/Sarah Stadfelt (UCI) def. Sarah Gealer/Martina Kostalova (UH) – 8-4
Order of finish: 2, 1
Singles
1 Cindy Nguyen (UH) def. Sarah Gong (UCI) – 6-4, 6-1
2 Marivick Mamiit (UCI) def. Xenia Suworowa (UH) – 5-7, 6-3, 6-2
3 Franziska Goettsching (UCI) def. Martina Kostalova (UH) – 7-5, 6-2
4 Paulina Petriskova (UH) def. Ali Facey (UCI) – 6-2, 1-1 (ret.)
5 Kat Facey (UCI) def. Sarah Gealer (UH) – 6-4, 6-4
6 Kelsey Daguio (UH) def. Sarah Stadfelt (UCI) – 6-4, 6-1
Order of finish: 4, 6, 1, 5, 3, 2
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