Box Score IRVINE, Calif. – The UC Irvine women's tennis team defeated Villanova by a score of 5-2 in non-conference action Sunday at Anteater Tennis Stadium.

The win gives UCI a 6-5 record on the season while Villanova drops to 1-5 overall.

"Great win over a very spirited, feisty and crafty Villanova team," said head coach Elizabeth Ferris. "It was good for us to step up and get through that adversity."

The Anteaters got off to a good start as they clinched the doubles points with wins at Nos. 1 and 3. The pair of Vivien Dvali and Stephanie Hazell got things started defeating the Wildcats' Martinez and Evans, 6-2, in the top spot. Stephanie Nguyen and Arianna Tilbury were down, 1-4, in No. 3 doubles but came back to win it, 7-5, and clinch the point for the 'Eaters.

"We started doubles a little flat footed and we were not executing what we have practiced," added Ferris. "Number three's snapped out of it and played focused and disciplined. I'm proud of their ability to be coachable."

Dvali grabbed UCI's first singles win of the day at the No. 3 spot after beating Villanova's Evans 6-4, 6-1 before Yulin Chen won on court four, 6-3, 6-0. The Wildcats took the next point winning at the No. 5 spot but Arianna Tilbury clinched the match for the 'Eaters after defeating Villanova's Krogius, 6-4, 6-4.

At the top spot, Stephanie Hazell earned a 7-5, 5-7, 10-8 decision.

"Hazell came through in that 10-point tiebreaker," said Ferris.

UCI hosts Toledo for a midweek match Thursday, March 8 at 1:30 p.m. at Anteater Tennis Stadium. 

Singles
1. Stephanie Hazell (UCI) def. DeNucci (VILL) 7-5, 5-7, 10-8
2. Althans (VILL) def. Stephanie Nguyen (UCI) 3-6, 6-4, 10-8
3. Vivien Dvali (UCI) def. Evans (VILL) 6-4, 6-1
4. Yulin Chen (UCI) def. Martinez (VILL) 6-3, 6-0
 5. Burdick (VILL) def. Flora Amiri (UCI) 0-6, 6-2, 6-3
 6. Arianna Tilbury (UCI) def. Krogius (VILL) 6-4, 6-4
Order of finish: (3,4,5,6,1,2)

Doubles
1. Vivien Dvali/Stephanie Hazell (UCI) def. Martinez/Evans (VILL) 6-2
2. Rotman/DeNucci (VILL) def. Flora Amiri/Yulin Chen (UCI) 6-3
3. Stephanie Nguyen/Arianna Tilbury (UCI) def. Althans/Bajet (VILL) 7-5
Order of finish: (1,2,3)