LOS ANGELES, Calif. --- UC Irvine women's tennis fought through a cold, windy, and wet Saturday at Cal State LA Tennis Complex to come away with a 4-3 win over the Golden Eagles.
Cal State LA (1-5) made the first move winning the doubles point.
Dasee Carter and
Emily Fowler won 6-2 at No. 2 doubles, but CSULA got wins at Nos. 1 and 3 to go up 1-0.
UCI (4-7, 1-2) quickly took the lead back from a retirement and a straight-set win by Carter at No. 5 singles for a 2-1 lead. The Golden Eagles returned the favor winning at Nos. 1 and 4 singles to take the lead back 3-2.
The Anteaters finished strong as Fowler finished what she started at No. 3 singles winning, 4-6, 6-1, 6-0, leaving it to
Shreya Pavani at No. 6 for the clinching point. After coming from behind to win the opening set, 7-6, she needed to break served for the third-set win and got it, 6-4, to secure the 4-3 Anteater victory.
UCI now had a three-match win streak on its hands as it returns home for the first of seven straight matches in Anteater Stadium. It all starts tomorrow, Sunday, March 6, with an 11:00 a.m. first serve against Weber State.
Anteater Thoughts
Emily Fowler - "Our match today was really tough and we had to stay focused from the first point to the last. Dasee and I held each other to high standards to get our set at No. 2 doubles. In singles, the wind picked up and I really had to adjust my targest and patterns on the court. We ended up competing well and coming out on top which makes me really happy. We're going to carry the positive energy from today into our home match tomorrow against Weber State. Let's go 'Eaters!!!"
Dasee Carter - "It felt great being back on the court today for one of my first matches back from an injury this season. Emily and I stuck to our game plan and executed it very well to get our doubles win today. I had to stay tough and play smart during singles, and everyone's energy on and off the court helped me stay motivated and focused. I'm excited to carry what we did today into tomorrow's match against Weber State! Zot zot!"
Shreya Pavani - "It was fun to be competing again after a two-week break. Although we had to bit of a slow start in doubles, I'm proud of how everyone stepped up i nsingles and gave it their all - especially with the wind picking up. I felt the support from my teamamtes on every point and they helped me get through my third set to win the mach. I'm excited to carry this momentum into tomorrow's match against Weber State. Here we go 'Eaters!"
