IRVINE, Calif. – UC Irvine went 2-0 this week, picking up a close 4-3 win over UC San Diego on Saturday afternoon.

The Anteaters improve to 9-4 this season and have won five consecutive matches.
 
Carolyna Fowler and Emily Fowler, the dynamic sister duo, pulled through to earn their second conference victory as a pair to improve to 8-4 overall.
 
The duo of Asha Gidwani and Amanda Perez improved to 10-2, 9-2 at the No. 3 spot, in doubles play with their 7-5 win and are on a seven-match win streak. The freshmen battled back from a 5-4 deficit to clinch the doubles point.
 
Three three-set matches occurred in individual competition. Alyssia Fossorier completed her extra match first at the No. 2 position. After faltering 6-2 in the first set, Fossorier clinched the point with her 6-3 and 6-4 wins.
 
At No. 1 singles, Jenna Schlatter found herself down early in set one. The senior had a tremendous come back from behind effort, tying the set at 6-6 to force the tiebreaker. In a point for point tie, UC San Diego's Kelly Leung was able to rise up to take the first set. Schlatter eased her way to a 6-1 victory in set two and put up a fight to win the match for UCI in her extra set.
 
At the sixth position, Carolyna Fowler knotted the additional set at 6-all after she had her back against the wall and fought off three match points. Haily win came away with the first win of individual competition (6-1, 6-4), winning her third straight contest to improve to 6-1 at No. 5.
 
"Today tested us mentally and physically and we came out on top on the other end," said assistant coach Benjamin Cook. "It was an exciting match from start to finish! The doubles point proved to be crucial, with Amanda and Asha coming back from 4-5 down to take the doubles point."

"Jenna and Alyssia had matches that tested their limits, but they stayed true to themselves and edged out their opponents. Haily played her game well, taking advantage of the opportunities given to her and letting her opponent have any way back into the match. We are very proud of the hard work of the team and feeling great grabbing this win!"

SINGLES DRAWS
Jenna Schlatter (UCI) defeated Kelly Leung (UCSD) 6-7 (6-8), 6-1, 6-3
Alyssia Fossorier (UCI) defeated Ella Pachl (UCSD) 2-6, 6-3, 6-4
Grace Gamal (UCSD) defeated Asha Gidwani (UCI) 6-3, 7-6 (7-5)
Sophia Pearson (UCSD) defeated Amanda Perez (UCI) 6-3, 6-4
Haily Huynh (UCI) defeated Naomi Nguyen (UCSD) 6-1, 6-4
Katelyn Vu (UCSD) defeated Carolyna Fowler (UCI) 5-7, 6-4, 7-6 (7-2)

DOUBLES
C.Fowler/Emily Fowler (UCI) defeated Leung/Pachl (UCSD), 6-4
Wagner/Vu (UCSD) defeated Fossorier/Schlatter (UCI), 6-1
Gidwani/Perez (UCI) defeated Pearson/Nguyen (UCSD), 7-5

WHAT THE PLAYERS HAD TO SAY:
"What a great way for us to wrap up our conference matches this week! I'm very proud of everyone's fighting spirit and effort out on court today. All the positive energy out there from everyone helped me prevail in singles and clinch the match. Can't wait for the next one! Let's go 'Eaters!" -Jenna Schlatter
 
"I am happy with the way I played today and proud of myself for being able to close it out quickly for my team. I knew it was going to be a close match and I wanted to make sure I was able to pull out the point for us. I am so proud of this team, and I know that we are going to be great in the future." -Haily Huynh
 
UP NEXT
UC Irvine hits the road this coming weekend, facing Westmont (Apr. 14), UC Santa Barbara (Apr. 15), and Cal Poly (Apr. 16).