NEWPORT BEACH, Calif. – The UC Irvine women's tennis team won its second match in a row with a 4-3 victory over Sacramento State Saturday at Palisades Tennis Club.

"Today we did what we've been talking about doing all year," UCI interim head coach Elizabeth Ferris said. "We fought through injuries, illness and up and down scores. We stuck with our game plan and played fearless tennis. They believed in themselves and each other and decided they weren't going to leave without the win."

Sacramento State (4-9) won the doubles point, but senior Cassidy Branstine made quick work of Carolina Chernyetsky, 6-0, 6-3, at No. 3 singles to even the score. The Hornets responded with two victories to go up, 3-1.

The 'Eaters then mounted their comeback as freshman Stephanie Nguyen pulled away, 6-4, 6-2, over Karina Vyrlan at No. 2. Junior Ashlynn Hall followed with a gritty 6-4, 7-6 (5) win on court four, to set up the clincher at the top of the lineup. Freshman Constance Branstine, who had missed the last two matches with an illness, would pull through for her team as she prevailed over Ana Esquivias Loaiza, 6-2, 6-7 (5), 10-8 to secure the victory.

UC Irvine (3-10) continues its homestand next Friday, March 17, when it hosts Pacific at 1:30 p.m.

UC Irvine 4, Sacramento State 3

Singles
1. Constance Branstine (UCI) def. Ana Esquivias Loaiza (SAC): 6-2, 6-7 (5), 10-8
2. Stephanie Nguyen (UCI) def. Karina Vyrlan (SAC): 6-4, 6-2
3. Cassidy Branstine (UCI) def. Carolina Chernyetsky (SAC): 6-0, 6-3
4. Ashlynn Hall (UCI) def. Andie Mouzes (SAC): 6-4, 7-6 (5)
5. Sofia Wicker (SAC) def. Jacqueline Tsodikova (UCI): 6-2, 6-0
6. Sofia Gulnova (SAC) def. Hali Dickson (UCI): 6-1, 6-2

Order of finish: 3, 5, 6, 2, 4, 1*

Doubles
1. Gulnova/Loaiza Esquivias (SAC) def. Cas. Branstine/Con. Branstine (UCI): 6-3
2. Mouzes/Vyrlan (SAC) def. Dickson/Nguyen (UCI): 6-3
3. Hall/Tsodikova (UCI) vs. Chernyetsky/Wicker (SAC): 5-5, unfinished

Order of finish: 1, 2*