NORTHRIDGE, Calif. – UC Irvine was resilient throughout the day and junior Ashlynn Hall capped off the gutsy performance with a three-set victory that clinched the Anteaters' 4-3 win over CSUN Thursday afternoon at the Matador Tennis Complex.
"This entire season (assistant coach) Desiree Tran and I have been emphasizing doing the basics really, really well," UCI interim head coach Elizabeth Ferris said. "High percentage of first serves, running for every ball, net clearance with fast racket head speed, finishing points at the net and mentally re-setting every point. As a team, we did an excellent job of that today.
"Ashlynn did an incredible job of coming from behind in the third set and dealing with the pressure of the match on her shoulders. She was coachable, gutsy and inspired. There was tremendous personal growth for everyone today."
The 'Eaters opened doubles play with a win at No. 1 as freshman Constance Branstine and sophomore Stephanie Hazell rolled to a 6-2 victory over Mickey Hsu/Emma Roenholt.
The Matadors pulled even on court three, setting up a decisive nail-biter at the No. 2 spot. Senior Hali Dickson and junior Vivien Dvali were in a 3-0 hole against Kiryang Kim/Elisa Elhadj, but battled back and eventually tied it up at 6-6. Dickson and Dvali then turned it up a notch as they led wire-to-wire in the tiebreaker for the 7-6 (3) triumph. The Anteater tandem improved to 3-0 since Dvali's return to the lineup on April 2 (two matches went unfinished).
"Con and Hazell played composed, disciplined and clean tennis from start to finish," Ferris said. "Viv and Hali took a little more time to find their game but once they did, they kept their foot on the gas pedal."
UC Irvine went up 2-0 early in singles play with Dvali coming from behind to take the first set 6-4 before her opponent retired at the No. 2 position.
CSUN (9-10, 3-4 Big West) then mounted a comeback, taking a 3-2 lead with wins at Nos. 3, 4, and 6. UCI would not be outdone, however, as Constance Branstine prevailed, 7-6 (4), 7-5, over Hsu in a hard-fought match at the top of the lineup.
It then came down to No. 5 where Hall and Roenholt were locked in a three-set battle. Hall had won the first set handily at 6-1, before falling just short in the second frame. She also found herself down in the third before storming back for the 6-1, 4-6, 6-4 clincher.
"This was an extremely hard-fought match for me," Hall said. "CSUN's five really stepped up her game after the first set and it was a battle. My team pushed through today and I am so proud of everyone. I'm so thankful for the win today and to be able to share it with an amazing team."
UC Irvine (4-16, 1-6 Big West) wraps up conference play next week with a road match at UC Riverside on Thursday, April 20.
UC Irvine 4, CSUN 3
Singles
1. Constance Branstine (UCI) def. Mickey Hsu (CSUN): 7-6 (7-4), 7-5
2. Vivien Dvali (UCI) def. Kiryang Kim (CSUN): 6-4, ret.
3. Elisa Elhadj (CSUN) def. Stephanie Hazell (UCI): 7-5, 6-1
4. Skyla Alcon (CSUN) def. Cassidy Branstine (UCI): 5-7, 6-1, 6-2
5. Ashlynn Hall (UCI) def. Emma Roenholt (CSUN): 6-1, 4-6, 6-4
6. Kristen Poei (CSUN) def. Jacqueline Tsodikova (UCI): 6-3, 6-3
Order of finish: 2, 6, 3, 4, 1*, 5
Doubles
1. Co. Branstine/Hazell (UCI) def. Hsu/Roenholt (CSUN): 6-2
2. Hali Dickson/Dvali (UCI) def. Kim/Elhadj (CSUN): 7-6 (7-3)
3. Alcon/Poei (CSUN) def. Ca. Branstine/Stephanie Nguyen (UCI): 6-2
Order of finish: 3, 1, 2
