UC Irvine
UC Riverside
UC Irvine Blanks UC Riverside, 4-0, in First Round of Big West Tournament
April 27, 2017 | Women's Tennis
INDIAN WELLS, Calif. - The eighth-seeded UC Irvine women's tennis team advanced in the Big West Tournament as it blanked No. 9 seed UC Riverside, 4-0, in a first-round match Thursday at Indian Wells Tennis Garden.
The Anteaters (6-17) move on to Friday's quarterfinal round where they will face top-seeded Hawai'i at 9 a.m. The Highlanders (5-14), meanwhile, saw their season come to an end.
"I couldn't be prouder of these ladies today," UCI interim head coach Elizabeth Ferris said. "Ashlynn (Hall) had to be substituted into the number one slot with (Stephanie) Hazell and they got the win even though they've never played together. Jacqueline (Tsodikova) was moved into line six and played lights out tennis. Ash also moved up to spot five and played with poise and purpose. She never strayed from the game plan.
"Vivien (Dvali) clinched for us in doubles and followed it up by clinching the overall match for us in singles. Her footwork and net game was excellent. We look forward to our match against Hawai'i!"
Despite the last-minute lineup change, the 'Eaters came out strong in doubles. Playing together for the first time this season, sophomore Stephanie Hazell and junior Ashlynn Hall put their new partnership right to the test at the top of the lineup. The tandem did not shy away from the challenge as they took down Karla Dulay/Tamilla Vaksman, 6-4. Junior Vivien Dvali and senior Hali Dickson followed with a 6-4 triumph over Tracy Van/Lauren Wolfe to clinch the point on court two.
Hall continued to shine in singles, giving UC Irvine a 2-0 lead with a 6-1, 6-4 victory over Vaksman at the No. 5 spot. Freshman Jacqueline Tsodikova was also on top of her game as she dispatched Natalie Penner, 6-1, 6-3, at No. 6. Dvali then pulled out the decisive win at No. 1 where she upended Dulay, 6-2, 7-6 (5), to account for the final 4-0 score.
"Today was an amazing day for our team," Hall said. "Everyone stuck to a winning game plan and put their hearts out on the court. I played at the top of the lineup for doubles today and winning was an incredible experience. Our team has so much talent and spirt - today was a confirmation of that."
"I'm so glad I was able to help the team out today and to also see everyone fight for every point," Dvali added. "My opponent was tough. She definitely worked for every ball, so I had to be extra patient and work for the short ball so I could attack and close the net. The team is excited to play tomorrow."
The Anteaters were without the services of reigning Big West Athlete of the Week Constance Branstine, who has played the entire season at No. 1 singles and doubles.
UC Irvine will be back in action tomorrow when it squares off against top-seeded Hawai'i in a Big West quarterfinal match at 9 a.m.
No. 8 UC Irvine 4, No. 9 UC Riverside 0
Singles
1. Vivien Dvali (UCI) def. Karla Dulay (UCR): 6-2, 7-6 (7-5)
2. Stephanie Hazell (UCI) vs. Sara Khattab (UCR): 5-7, 3-3, unfinished
3. Cassidy Branstine (UCI) vs. Tracy Van (UCR): 5-7, 2-4, unfinished
4. Stephanie Nguyen (UCI) vs. Lauren Wolfe (UCR): 6-0, 1-6, 4-1, unfinished
5. Ashlynn Hall (UCI) def. Tamilla Vaksman (UCR): 6-1, 6-4
6. Jacqueline Tsodikova (UCI) def. Natalie Penner (UCR): 6-1, 6-3
Order of finish: 5, 6, 1*
Doubles
1. Hall/Hazell (UCI) def. Dulay/Vaksman (UCR): 6-4
2. Dvali/Dickson (UCI) def. Van/Wolfe (UCR): 6-4
3. Ca. Branstine/Nguyen (UCI) vs. Khattab/Penner (UCR): 4-5, unfinished
Order of finish: 1, 2
Players Mentioned
