UC Irvine
Long Beach State
'Eaters Show Heart in Narrow 4-3 Loss to Long Beach State
March 04, 2017 | Women's Tennis
IRVINE, Calif. – UC Irvine women's tennis had several big individual wins, but came up short as a team with a narrow 4-3 loss to three-time defending Big West regular season champion Long Beach State Saturday afternoon at Anteater Tennis Stadium.
"Several players had huge mental and emotional breakthroughs today," UCI interim head coach Elizabeth Ferris said. "Vivien and Hali had several match points against them in doubles but were determined to fight through and come out on top. Constance lost her first set and was down 0-4 in the third against a top player and made the decision to fight and believe. It would have been easy for her to tense up, make excuses, feel sorry for herself or throw in the towel. Stephanie Nguyen had another great comeback as well.
"Once we know we can get through tough times, then there's no turning back. In order to do that, we need every single person to understand that if they can fight a little harder, think a little clearer, throw out their excuses and play a couple big points better, we will come out on top."
UCI (1-9, 0-2 Big West) came out ready to play as it claimed the doubles point for the early 1-0 lead. The Beach took the first match at No. 3, but freshman Constance Branstine and sophomore Stephanie Hazell answered as they toppled Maeva Razakasoa/Julie Gerard in an impressive performance at the No. 1 position. The 'Eater duo fell behind 2-1 before winning four-straight games. They eventually finished off the 49ers, 6-3.
The doubles point would be decided on court two where juniors Hali Dickson and Vivien Dvali held a 5-3 lead. LBSU's Maren Helgo/Natalia Munoz then rode a wave of momentum to go up, 6-5, but the Anteaters dug deep and forced the tiebreaker where they came from behind for the 7-6 (8-6) victory.
Long Beach State (6-2, 3-1 Big West) pulled ahead 3-1 in singles with straight-set wins at Nos. 2, 4 and 5. The last three matches then went the distance, but the 49ers were able to clinch at the sixth spot where junior Ashlynn Hall ran the table against Laura Eales in the first set before dropping a hard-fought 0-6, 7-5, 6-2 decision.
Despite the team result already being determined, Constance Branstine continued to battle at the top position. She fought back from a one-set deficit to even the match before climbing out of a 4-0 hole in the third to upend two-time Big West Player of the Year Maeva Razakasoa, 4-6, 6-2, 6-4.
Nguyen followed suit with a 4-6, 6-4, 6-2 triumph at No. 3. She has now won her last three singles matches, improving her dual-match record to a team-best 6-4.
"Just about all of our matches have come down to the wire and we have to love the fight," Ferris added. "We have to continue to show that we want it, and we will!"
UC Irvine's match against Youngstown State, originally scheduled for Sunday, March 5, has been moved to Thursday, March 9. The 'Eaters will host YSU at 9:30 a.m. and then Hope International at 1 p.m.
Long Beach State 4, UC Irvine 3
Singles
1. Constance Branstine (UCI) def. Maeva Razakasoa (LBSU): 4-6, 6-2, 6-4
2. Julie Gerard (LBSU) def. Vivien Dvali (UCI): 6-3, 7-5
3. Stephanie Nguyen (UCI) def. Maren Helgo (LBSU): 4-6, 6-4, 6-2
4. Lena Pacholski (LBSU) def. Cassidy Branstine (UCI): 6-3, 6-0
5. Natalia Munoz (LBSU) def. Stephanie Hazell (UCI): 6-2, 6-4
6. Laura Eales (LBSU) def. Ashlynn Hall (UCI): 0-6, 7-5, 6-2
Order of finish: 4, 5, 2, 6*, 1, 3
Doubles
1. Con. Branstine/Hazell (UCI) def. Gerard/Razakasoa (LBSU): 6-3
2. Dickson/Dvali (UCI) def. Eales/Pacholski (LBSU): 7-6 (8-6)
3. Helgo/Munoz (LBSU) def. Cas. Branstine/Nguyen (UCI): 6-2
Order of finish: 3, 1, 2*
Players Mentioned
