IRVINE, Calif. - The UC Irvine women's tennis team fell to San José State, 4-1, in its season opener Friday afternoon at Anteater Tennis Stadium.
 
The 'Eaters (0-1), who were playing in their first team competition since March 8, 2020, had to wait just a little bit longer as their match was pushed back to 2 p.m. after rain showers in the morning delayed their originally scheduled 11 a.m. start time.
 
"I'm glad to have finally gotten back to competing today," said sophomore Jenna Schlatter, who won her singles match. "Our entire team fought hard and there was great energy out on the courts today. I was happy that I pulled through in singles and I'm proud of our team for coming out today with the right intentions and a fighting spirit!"
 
UCI took SJSU down to the wire in doubles. After the Spartans picked up a 6-1 victory at No. 2, Alyssia Fossorier and Jessica Tsukiji evened the playing field by defeating Alba Pedrero Galindo/Marco Mas, 6-4, at the top of the lineup. All eyes then turned to court three where Dasee Carter and Emily Fowler were locked in a tight battle with Jovana Babic/Rozalina Youseva. The Anteaters put up a fight but ultimately dropped a 7-5 decision.
 
In singles, San José State (1-0) won three of the first four matches. Schlatter accounted for UCI's point as she dispatched Culibrk, 6-3, 6-4, at No. 3. Fossorier and Tsukiji were also leading in the third set of their respective matches when SJSU clinched the team victory.
 
"We competed well as a team and didn't give away any points," said freshman Emily Fowler. "I think this match made us hungry and I'm so excited to compete the rest of the season!"
 
 
San José State 4, UC Irvine 1
Anteater Tennis Stadium
February 12, 2021

Singles
1. Jessica Tsukiji (UCI) vs. Alba Pedrero Galindo (SJSU), 6-4, 5-7 unfinished
2. Rozalina Youseva (SJSU) def. Halla Alajeely (UCI), 6-4, 6-2
3. Jenna Schlatter (UCI) def. Tamara Culibrk (SJSU), 6-3, 6-4
4. Alyssia Fossorier (UCI) vs. Lara Marco Mas (SJSU), 7-6 (7-2), 2-6, 4-3 unfinished
5. Irena Muradyan (SJSU) def. Arianna Tilbury (UCI), 6-2, 6-0
6. Jovana Babic (SJSU) def. Emily Fowler (UCI), 1-6, 7-6 (7-4), 6-1
 
 
Doubles
1. Fossorier/Tsukiji (UCI) def. Pedrero Galindo/Marco Mas (SJSU), 6-4
2. Culibrk/Muradyan (SJSU) def. Schlatter/Tilbury (UCI), 6-1
3. Babic/Youseva (SJSU) def. Carter/Fowler (UCI), 7-5
 
Order of finish: 2, 1, 3*