Irvine, Calif. – UC Irvine (3-14, 1-4) endured three rain delays in a 5-2 loss to UC Santa Barbara (12-7, 5-1), but came back strong after the final delay to win at flight two in singles and take the doubles point.
With rain threatening the match, the Anteaters and Gauchos started with singles play to get the contest started. UCSB earned three points at flights five, three and four as No. 5 Amanda Atanasson defeated Andrea Duva 6-2, 6-0, No. 3 Stefani Stojic took the match over Taylor LeFridge 6-3, 6-0 and Jaimee Gilbertson defeated Mazy Watrous 6-1, 6-3 at flight four.
Play was suspended twice for brief periods of time due to intermittent sprinkles making conditions wet. Cassidy Branstine kept it close in the second set with Natalie Da Silveira at the No. 6 spot with back and forth games but ultimately fell 6-3, 7-5 as the Gauchos clinched the fourth point.
The impending rain eventually overtook the courts while the teams waited it out. Once the storm blew over and the courts were dried play resumed at flights one and two. No. 1 Sarah Gong lost a tight tie-breaker in the first set prior to the rain, and ultimately lost to Lou Adler following the delay 7-6 (7-5), 6-2.
At flight two, Vivien Dvali had taken the first set over Palina Dubavets only to lose the second and was tied at one all when the final delay took place. When action resumed, they played a seven-point match tie-breaker where Dvali defeated Dubavets 6-2, 6-7 (1-7), 1-1, 7-5 giving the 'Eaters a point.
With clearer skies, the teams played on for the doubles point. Ashlynn Hall and Duva battled Da Silveira and Gilbertson at No. 3 losing 6-2
Gong and Watrous came out strong at the No. 1 doubles spot playing nationally ranked No. 15 duo Stojic and Dubavets taking the first three games. Stojic and Dubavets battled back in the next two games, but eventually fell to Gong and Watrous, 6-3.
The doubles point was left to flight two where Dvali and LeFridge defeated Melissa Baker and Stephanie Yamada 6-2 earning the Anteaters their second point.
UC Irvine will host Cal Poly (3-12, 1-5) Sunday (April 10) at 11:00 a.m. at the Anteater Tennis Stadium.
UC Santa Barbara vs. UC Irvine
UC Santa Barbara 5, UC Irvine 2
Anteater Tennis Stadium
Singles Competition
1. Lou Alder (UCSB) def. Sarah Gong (UCI) 7-6 (7-5), 6-2
2. Vivien Dvali (UCI) def. Palina Dubavets (UCSB) 6-2, 6-7 (1-7), 1-1, 7-5
3. Stefani Stojic (UCSB) def. Taylor LeFridge (UCI) 6-3, 6-0
4. Jaimee Gilbertson (UCSB) def. Mazy Watrous (UCI) 6-1, 6-3
5. Amanda Atanasson (UCSB) def. Andrea Duva (UCI) 6-2, 6-0
6. Natalie Da Silveira def. Cassidy Branstine (UCI) 6-3, 7-5
Order of finish: 5,3,4,6,1,2
Doubles Competition
1. Sarah Gong/Mazy Watrous (UCI) def. #15 Stefani Stojic/Palina Dubavets 6-3
2. Vivien Dvali/Taylor LeFridge (UCI) def. Melissa Baker/Stephanie Yamada 6-2
3. Natalie Da Silveira/Jaimee Gilbertston (UCSB) def. Andrea Duva/Ashlynn Hall 6-2
Order of finish: 3,1,2
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