UC Irvine
Hawai'i
Anteaters Fall to No. 1 Seed Hawai'i in Big West Quarterfinals
April 28, 2017 | Women's Tennis
INDIAN WELLS, Calif. - The eighth-seeded UC Irvine women's tennis team fell to No. 1 seed Hawai'i, 4-0, in a Big West Tournament quarterfinal match Friday morning at Indian Wells Tennis Garden.
"We didn't get the win today, but it was great to watch everyone battle hard, be coachable and enjoy the match," UCI interim head coach Elizabeth Ferris said. "Credit to Hawai'i - there's a reason why they are the best team in the conference and one of the toughest teams to play in the country.
"Desiree (Tran) and I have enjoyed coaching this team immensely! The team, as well as Desiree and I, have grown so much both individually and as a whole. We are especially proud of how our seniors have led by example and put everything they had into their academics, team and their craft."
The Rainbow Wahine (15-6) opened doubles play with a 6-0 win at No. 3. The 'Bows then secured the point at the top of the lineup as senior Hali Dickson and junior Vivien Dvali dropped a 6-2 decision to 68th-ranked Petra Melounova/Roxanne Resma.
UH pulled ahead 3-0 with a pair of straight-set victories in singles. At No. 2, sophomore Stephanie Hazell came up short against Marina Hruba, 6-1, 6-2, while senior Cassidy Branstine suffered a 6-2, 6-0 setback to Resma at the third spot.
The 'Bows went on to clinch the team dual on court six where Klara Pribylova defeated freshman Jacqueline Tsodikova, 6-1, 6-3.
Hawai'i, which advances to tomorrow's semifinal, remained perfect against Big West opponents this year as it had earned the top seed after going 8-0 in conference play.
UC Irvine concludes its season with a 6-18 overall record. It was the final match for the Anteaters' three seniors - Cassidy Branstine, Hali Dickson and Alex Harrigan.
"I love this team and I'm proud of the hard work we put in this year," Branstine said. "Today was a tough loss, but we played our hearts out. That is all we could ever ask of ourselves. As I conclude my college tennis career, I am so thankful for UCI and all the great memories and experiences that have come with being a student-athlete here. It was a blessing to play for this team and Coach Ferris for my final season, and I am proud to always be an Anteater!"
"It still hasn't sunk in that tennis is over this year," Dickson said. "I'm so proud of all these girls and how much we grew individually and as a team. We had a lot of tough matches this season, today included, and we really fought through a lot of ups and downs, but we played with passion. I've gotten so close with everyone and we definitely see ourselves as a family. Playing for Coach Ferris was an honor and really exposed what I can do. I've definitely never been pushed so hard. She really supported me to keep improving, even at the end of today's match. There's no one I would rather have spent the majority of my time with this year and I don't know what I'll do without them. It's really been a special experience at UCI."
"The end of this year really crept up on me," Harrigan said. "It still hasn't sunk in that this chapter of my life is over. It's been such an honor to play with such great girls and for such great coaches. I am so proud of how the girls fought today and have fought all season. It shows how much we want to play and work for each other. It's going to be hard to adjust to life without my team, but I know they'll be my friends forever."
No. 1 Hawai'i 4, No. 8 UC Irvine 0
Singles
1. Vivien Dvali (UCI) vs. Cindy Nguyen (UH): 2-6, 4-3, unfinished
2. Marina Hruba (UH) def. Stephanie Hazell (UCI): 6-1, 6-2
3. Roxanne Resma (UH) def. Cassidy Branstine (UCI): 6-2, 6-0
4. Stephanie Nguyen (UCI) vs. Nikola Dolakova (UH): 2-6, 4-3, unfinished
5. Ashlynn Hall (UCI) vs. Michelle Pits (UH): 4-6, 1-4, unfinished
6. Klara Pribylova (UH) def. Jacqueline Tsodikova (UCI): 6-1, 6-3
Order of finish: 2, 3, 6*
Doubles
1. #68 Petra Melounova/Resma (UH) def. Hali Dickson/Dvali (UCI): 6-2
2. Hall/Hazell (UCI) vs. Nguyen/Pribylova (UH): 2-5, unfinished
3. Hruba/Pits (UH) def. Ca. Branstine/Nguyen (UCI): 6-0
Order of finish: 3, 1
Players Mentioned
