IRVINE, Calif. - The UC Irvine women's tennis team (6-9) picked up two victories on Saturday, defeating Idaho, 4-2, and Hope International, 7-0, in a doubleheader at Anteater Tennis Stadium.
 
Ysabel Gonzalez-Rico and Jessica Tsukiji led the way, going unbeaten on the day as they each won two singles and one doubles match. Tsukiji had the match-clinching singles victory in both contests. Dasee Carter and Emily Fowler were also 2-0 in doubles action.
 
UC Irvine 4, Idaho 2 - Results
UC Irvine started the day with an impressive 4-2 victory over Idaho.
 
The Anteaters got out to a strong start, winning the doubles point for the early lead. Dasee Carter and Emily Fowler were first off the court with a 6-3 triumph over Saffron Dowse/Andrea Redondo at the third position. Ysabel Gonzalez-Rico and Jenna Schlatter then clinched the point, taking down Melissa Huchet/Jayanee Palma, 6-2, at No. 2.
 
The Vandals (4-7) answered in singles, pulling ahead 2-1 with victories at Nos. 3 and 6. Fowler then dispatched Redondo, 6-2, 6-4, on court four to tie it up, while Gonzalez-Rico put the 'Eaters back out front by upending Ines Oliveira, 6-4, 6-3, at the top of the lineup. That set the table for Jessica Tsukiji, who delivered a 6-3, 6-4 match-clinching win at No. 2.
 
Carter was also on the comeback trail against Dowse at the fifth position where she led 3-6, 6-1, 3-0.
 
UC Irvine 7, Hope International 0 - Results
UC Irvine closed out the day with a 7-0 win over NAIA member Hope International.
 
The Anteaters swept doubles play, starting at the top of the lineup where Dasee Carter and Emily Fowler defeated Carolina Guerrero/Julia Ramos, 6-0. Shreya Pavani and Jessica Tsukiji then secured the point with a 6-0 triumph over Maxime Mendes/Kirra Morris at No. 2. The two teams played out the final match on court three with Alyssia Fossorier/Megan Mansonhing outlasting Isabel Coscolluela/Lisanne Siebrecht, 6-3.
 
The 'Eaters kept the momentum in singles play with Fossorier making quick work of Morris, 6-0, 6-0, at the third position. Gonzalez-Rico was also a 6-2, 6-2 winner at No. 1, and Tsukiji followed with her second match-clinching victory as she defeated Ramos, 6-0, 6-4, on court two.
 
Shreya Pavani, Megan Mansonhing and Mia Totah added three-set victories to complete the sweep. Pavani took down Mendes, 6-3, 2-6, 10-6, Mansonhing topped Coscolluela, 4-6, 6-1, 10-4, and Totah outlasted Siebrecht, 6-1, 4-6, 11-9.

Anteater Thoughts on the Doubleheader
Emily Fowler - "It was so exciting playing the doubleheader today at home! Dasee and I stepped up today at the doubles 1 position and stuck to our game plan. I'm looking forward to our conference match tomorrow at home! Go 'Eaters!!"
 
Ysabel Gonzalez-Rico - "Happy to get two team wins today as we prepare for our match against CSUN! The energy on the court was great and I'm looking forward to playing tomorrow!"
 
Jessica Tsukiji - "It was such a great day of tennis and it was awesome that everyone got an opportunity to play today! Everyone competed so well and it was exciting to get the two wins today! Looking forward to building off of these wins tomorrow in our conference match!"
 
Shreya Pavani - "Today's doubleheader was a lot of fun and I'm really proud of the way everyone competed in both matches. It was super fun to play doubles with Jess for the first time and I think we had some great points together. We had a great day and I'm excited for us to carry the momentum into tomorrow!"
 
Megan Mansonhing - "I'm so proud of my team for fighting hard all the way through our doubleheader. It was super fun playing doubles with Alyssia and I'm proud of myself for fighting for every point in my singles match. I can't wait for tomorrow's match! Go 'Eaters!"
 
UP NEXT
UC Irvine is back in action on Sunday, March 20, hosting CSUN in a Big West showdown starting at 11 a.m.