Box Score IRVINE, Calif. – The UC Irvine women's tennis team earned its first win of the season against a Division I oppoenet after defeating Idaho State, 6-1, Friday at Anteater Tennis Stadium.
 
With the win, UCI improves to 2-4 on the season.
 
"I thought we started doubles a little flat and nervous," said head coach Elizabeth Ferris. "No. 3 stepped up and No.2 battled back from down 3-5 and match point to clinch a big doubles victory for us. Winning the doubles point allowed up to start singles with a lot of confidence and energy".
 
Despite dropping the first doubles match, the 'Eaters came back to win No. 2 and 3 to take the doubles point. At No. 2, the freshmen pair of Yulin Chen and Flora Amiri were down 3-5, match point against Megan Poe and Hristina Cvetkovic but rallied to win, 7-4. Stephanie Nguyen and Arianna Tilbury won at No. 3, 6-4.
 
"I started off doubles a little shaky but stayed focused on the basics," said Chen. "I thought I did a good job of bringing that intensity into my singles match. The second set started to slip away but I told myself if I just stay in the point and play my game I'll be fine".
 
Amiri set the tone in singles with a dominant 6-1, 6-2 victory over Poe on court five. Chen followed suit with a 6-0, 6-4 win at No. 4. Tilbury was down 4-5 in the first set but never gave up, coming back to ultimately win the match, 7-5, 6-3, at No. 6.
 
"Steph Nguyen and I came off a big doubles win and that gave me great energy into my singles," said Tilbury. "I thought I had the match figured out but the other player pushed me to my max. I had to be more patient, stick to the basics and play within myself. It was a huge mental battle and I'm glad I was on the positive side of the outcome!"
 
At the top of the lineup, Stephanie Hazell earned a 6-3, 5-7, 10-8 victory over Cvetkovic. Nguyen brought the 'Eaters out on a high note winning on court two, 3-6, 6-2, 6-2.
 
"Flora did an excellent job of staying focused on the game plan and never deviated. Yulin started the first set off with great intensity and footwork. Her opponent tested her in the second but Yulin stuck with what won her the first set," added Ferris. "Arianna and Nguyen's matches were mental, physical and strategical battles. They both had to manage their emotions and think clearly to come up with two big wins. That was a big breakthrough for both of them! Hazell has not played a full singles match since last season due to injuries, so for her to step up in the No. 1 spot and get a win says a lot about her toughness and growth"
 
The Anteaters take a trip to the east coast next week to face Saint Joesph's (Feb. 16), Lafayette (Feb. 17) and La Salle (Feb. 18). Match times are TBA.

Singles
1. Stephanie Hazell (UCI) def. CVETKOVIC, Hristina (ISU) 6-3, 5-7, 10-8
2. Stephanie Nguyen (UCI) def. BOTES, Huibre-Mare (ISU) 3-6, 6-2, 6-2
 3. BOTES, Louise-Mare (ISU) def. Danielle Garrido (UCI) 6-1, 6-2
4. Yulin Chen (UCI) def. COBURN, Melissa (ISU) 6-0, 6-4
5. Flora Amiri (UCI) def. POE, Megan (ISU) 6-1, 6-2
 6. Arianna Tilbury (UCI) def. WALKER, Angela (ISU) 7-5, 6-3
Order of finish: 5, 3, 4, 6, 1, 2

Doubles
1. BOTES, Louise-Mare/BOTES, Huibre-Mare (ISU) def. Danielle Garrido/Stephanie Hazell (UCI) 6-3
2. Yulin Chen/Flora Amiri (UCI) def. POE, Megan/CVETKOVIC, Hristina (ISU) 7-5
 3. Stephanie Nguyen/Arianna Tilbury (UCI) def. COBURN, Melissa/FENSKE, Madison (ISU) 6-4
Order of finish: 1, 3, 2