MANOA, Hawai'i --- UCI's grit was put to the test Friday afternoon by the elements and competition to score a 4-3 win over Division II-powerhouse, Hawai'i Pacific, at UH Tennis Complex.
The 'Eaters and Sharks had to endure a six-hour rain delay before they could begin the match, and the hosts did not back down once play began.
Hawai'i Pacific (5-1) proved they belonged scoring straight-set wins at Nos. 1 and 4 singles. UC Irvine (6-2, 1-0) answered with a pair of straight set wins thanks to Kat Facey and Vivien Dvali. Arisha Ladhani and Mazy Watrous were pushed to a third set, and earned a split which forced the match into doubles.
The Anteaters' endurance shone through taking the doubles point in a sweep to decide the match, 4-3.
HPU, who dispatched UC Riverside 7-0 to open its season, is ranked sixth in Division II.
UCI now turns its attention to a pivotal Big West match on Sat. Feb. 21 as it squares off with No. 53 Hawai'i at 1:00 p.m.
UC IRVINE 4, HAWAI'I PACIFIC 3
UCI (6-2, 1-0) | HPU (5-1 – DII)
February 20, 2015
UH Tennis Complex – Manoa, Hawai'i
Singles
1 Kristyna Hancarova (HPU) def. Sarah Gong (UCI) – 6-4, 6-3
2 Arisha Ladhani (UCI) def. Nicole Hoynaski (HPU) – 3-6, 6-3, 6-2
3 Kat Facey (UCI) def. Vivian Hansen (HPU) – 6-4, 6-4
4 Lorena Gheorghe (HPU) def. Ali Facey (UCI) – 6-2, 7-6
5 Lea Kruse-Utermann (HPU) def. Mazy Watrous (UCI) – 6-7, 7-6, 6-1
6 Vivien Dvali (UCI) def. Sofia Tavitian (HPU) – 6-1, 6-3
Doubles
1 Facey/Facey (UCI) def. Gheorghe/Hancarova (HPU) – 8-3
2 Gong/Ladhani (UCI) def. Hoynaski/Kruse-Utermann (HPU) – 8-3
3 Dvali/Watrous (UCI) def. Hansen/Tavitian (HPU) – 8-2
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