Box Score LOS ANGELES – UC Irvine women's tennis dropped their season opener to No. 21 ranked Southern California, 4-0, on Thursday afternoon.

The Anteaters and the Women of Troy played the match clinch-clinch.

No. 21 USC earned the first point of the match in doubles action, earning the 6-2 and 6-3 wins at No. 1 and No. 2, respectively.

In doubles play, the duo of Asha Gidwani and Amanda Perez put up a fight against their nationally ranked opponents as they walked away from the game unfinished, 5-3 with USC holding the advantage.
 
Gidwani continued her fight in her No. 3 singles match. The sophomore took her oppositions to an extra point before falling 7-5 in the first set.
 
Graduate student Jenna Schlatter struggled to find success in her first as she fell 6-1. Despite the slow start, Schlatter used her increasing momentum to close to 5-4 in the second set, but the match was not completed in full.

"Today the team's energy in singles and doubles was inspiring," remarked head coach Elizabeth Ferris Smith. "Doubles teams fought with belief and competed hard until the last point. I liked how we were aggressive with our serves, returns, and movement at the net."

"In singles, the girls were battling until the end and carried themselves well. Every player stayed focused and disciplined to their respective game styles, often going toe to toe with their opponent. This match has given us good insights into what we will focus on in practice for upcoming matches."

SINGLES DRAWS
Jenna Schlatter (UCI) vs. Naomi Cheong (USC), 1-6, 4-5 unfinished
Lily Fairclough (USC) defeated Kayla Meraz (UCI), 6-3, 6-2
Imogen Haddad (USC) defeated Asha Gidwani (UCI), 7-5, 6-2
Amanda Perez (UCI) vs. McKenna Koeing (USC), 3-6, 3-5 unfinished
Haily Huynh (UCI) vs. Sloane Morra (USC), 2-6, 3-4 unfinished
Parker Fry (USC) defeated Larissa Teramura (UCI), 6-1, 6-1

DOUBLES
Eryn Cayetano/Emma Charney (USC) defeated Carolyna Fowler/Emily Fowler (UCI), 6-2
Cheong/Fairclough (USC) defeated Meraz/Schlatter (UCI), 6-3
Gidwani/Perez (UCI) vs. Fry/Grace Piper (USC), 3-5 unfinished

WHAT THE PLAYERS HAD TO SAY
"Happy to be back out and competing for my last season! There was a great atmosphere out there today and I'm very pleased with the way everyone fought. Overall, there was a lot to learn from this match but I'm excited to continue moving forward with everyone! Go 'Eaters!" -Jenna Schlatter

"Playing at USC to kick off the season was a great experience for the whole team. We had a strong showing to begin the match in doubles and that energy carried onto the rest of the singles matches. I am so proud of our team for showing such grit and fight, and I am excited for what's to come this season. Go 'Eaters!!" -Amanda Perez

UP NEXT
UC Irvine will stay on the road and open up Big West play at Hawaii on Saturday Feb. 3.