SANTA BARBARA, Calif. - The UC Irvine women's tennis team started their three-match road trip with a 6-3 non-conference win over Westmont College Friday at Abbott Tennis Courts.
 
The Anteaters improved to 14-8 overall, while the Warriors, who are undefeated in the NAIA's Golden State Athletic Conference, concluded their regular season at 17-5.
 
The 'Eaters earned two points in doubles with wins at Nos. 2 and 3, while they also took four of five singles matches.
 
QUOTE FROM ALYSSIA FOSSORIER
"Our match against Westmont today was a good challenge to start us up for the upcoming weekend. I'm proud of how our team played to our strengths and kept a competitive mindset. Hopefully this confidence booster will keep us hungry for our upcoming matches."
 
QUOTE FROM GILLIAN PARKER
"I really loved being out on the court today. I started off a bit slow, but picked up my game and ended up competing really well. I focused a lot on coming into net and finishing points quickly, which worked in my favor. Plus, having my teammates and coaches supporting me throughout the match felt amazing."
 
INSIDE THE MATCH
> The Anteaters took two of three in doubles action with each match counting for a point.
> Stephanie Nguyen and Arianna Tilbury opened with an 8-5 victory over Zarina Huber/Rachal Jackson at No. 3.
> Jessica Tsukiji and Alyssia Fossorier put the 'Eaters up 2-0 with a 9-7 triumph over Isabel Lee/Emily Peterson at the second position.
> Stephanie Hazell and Danielle Garrido were also locked in a tight battle at the top of the lineup, but ultimately dropped a 9-7 decision.
> Westmont evened the score at 2-2 after Jackson defeated Jacqueline Tsodikova, 6-2, 6-4, at No. 5 singles.
> UC Irvine responded by winning the next three matches.
> Tsukiji secured her team-leading 11th singles win with a 6-4, 6-2 victory over Lee on court two.
> Fossorier followed suit as she dispatched Taylor Cheung-Damonte, 6-0, 6-2, at the third spot.
> Tilbury then completed an impressive comeback, taking down Peterson, 6-7, 6-0, 10-3 at No. 4 to clinch the match.
> Gillian Parker also improved to 7-0 on the year with a 7-5, 6-1, triumph over Sidney Lowry at No. 6.
 
UP NEXT
> UC Irvine will stay in Santa Barbara as it gets back into Big West play with a 1:30 p.m. showdown at UCSB on Saturday, April 13.
 
 
UC Irvine 6, Westmont 3
Singles
1. Cade Pierson (WC) def. Danielle Garrido (UCI), 1-6, 6-4, 10-1
2. Jessica Tsukiji (UCI) def. Isabel Lee (WC), 6-4, 6-2
3. Alyssia Fossorier (UCI) def. Taylor Cheung-Damonte (WC), 6-0, 6-2
4. Arianna Tilbury (UCI) def. Emily Peterson (WC), 6-7 (5-7), 6-0, 10-3
5. Rachal Jackson (WC) def. Jacqueline Tsodikova (UCI), 6-2, 6-4
6. Gillian Parker (UCI) def. Sidney Lowry (WC), 7-5, 6-1
 
Order of finish: 5, 2, 3, 4*, 6, 1
 
Doubles
1. Pierson/Cheung-Damonte (WC) def. Stephanie Hazell/Garrido (UCI), 9-7
2. Fossorier/Tsukiji (UCI) def. Lee/Peterson (WC), 9-7
3. Stephanie Nguyen/Tilbury (UCI) def. Jackson/Zarina Huber (WC), 8-5
 
Order of finish: 3, 2, 1