IRVINE, Calif. – UC Irvine opened-up a six-game homestand with an exciting 4-3 win over Villanova Friday at Anteater Tennis Stadium.
 
UCI improves to 10-3 on the season while the Wildcats drop to 2-5 overall.
 
INSIDE THE MATCH
Doubles
> UCI earned the doubles point with wins at Nos. 2-3
> The Anteaters fell at No. 1 before the No. 3 duo of Arianna Tilbury and Alyssia Fossorier defeated Kaylan Rotman/Ellie Zimmerman, 6-2
> Jessica Tsukiji and Danielle Garrido clinched the match with a win at No. 2, 6-3, over Carina Burdick/Olivia Kapp
 
Singles
> Garrido continued her stellar day putting the 'Eaters up 2-0 after winning at No. 3, 6-1, 6-3
> Villanova earned a win on court six before Tsukiji beat Alexandra Vesikallio, 6-3, 6-3 at No. 3
> Amiri clinched the match with a 7-6 (7-3), 7-5 win at No. 2 over the Wildcats' Lindsey Evans
> Villanova would earn wins at Nos. 1 and 5 but the 'Eaters walked away with the 4-3 victory
 
UP NEXT
> UCI's scheduled match against Hope International tomorrow at 11 a.m. is postponed due to inclement weather. The Anteaters next match will now be against Louisiana Tuesday, March 5 at 9 a.m.
 
QUOTABLES
Head Coach Elizabeth Ferris
"I'm glad number 2 doubles clinched for us. They cleaned their games up and played smart, focused tennis. I was also glad to see number 3 doubles get a win after their loss in the last match. They're back on track! Villanova is always a tricky team. They're tough and confident players. Flora stepped up big for us today. She was down in both sets but had the courage to claw her way back and play fearlessly. Danielle handled business, never let her opponent in, and it was the same with Jessica. It's nice to see if one teammate has a tough day there is someone else ready to step up and make it happen. Another solid win! I also want to thank Dana, Megan, and Coach Perez for joining me in Read Across America today."
 
Flora Amiri
"Today's match was really tough, I needed to stay mentally tough the whole time. As coach Jessica always says 'Don't let the demons get in'. I kind of just followed that advice throughout my match. Hazell's encouragement helped me stay in the match when it got tough. Danielle's high intensity on the court next to me, inspired me to come back and win. Overall I'm pleased with today's outcome. Here go 'Eaters!"
 
Jessica Tsukiji
"I'm so proud of all my teammates for playing so well and fighting the way we did. We've all been working so hard, and it's a really great feeling to see it translate into a win!"
 
Jacqueline Tsodikova
"I'm so proud of all my teammates for playing so well and fighting the way we did. We've all been working so hard, and it's a really great feeling to see it translate into a win!"
 
Doubles
Lindsey Evans/Claudia Althans (VIL) def. Stephanie Hazell/Flora Amiri (UCI), 6-2
Jessica Tsukiji/Danielle Garrido (UCI) def. Carina Burdick/Olivia Kapp (VIL), 6-3
Arianna Tilbury/Alyssia Fossorier (UCI) def. Kaylan Rotman/Ellie Zimmerman (VIL), 6-2
Order: 1,3,2
 
Singles
Althans (VIL) def. Stephanie Nguyen (UCI), 4-6, 7-5, 6-10
Amiri (UCI) def. Evans (VIL), 7-6 (7-3), 7-5
Garrido (UCI) def. Rotman (VIL), 6-1, 6-3
Tsukiji (UCI) def. Alexandra Vesikallio (VIL), 6-3, 6-3
Kapp (VIL) def. Fossorier (UCI), 6-4, 2-6
Burdick (VIL) def. Tilbury (UCI), 6-4, 6-1
Order: 3,6,4,2,5,1