IRVINE, Calif. – UCI fell to Big West opponent CSUN, 5-2, Sunday morning inside the Anteater Tennis Stadium
 
The Anteaters were down 1-0 in doubles before evening the doubles portion with a 6-4 win from Carolyna Fowler and Haily Huynh on court two. No. 3 doubles went the way of the Matadors to clinch the doubles point.
 
CSUN went on to win at the No. 2 singles spot, but Jenna Schlatter fought for a 6-2, 6-4 victory at the No. 1 position to bring UC Irvine within one point, 2-1.
 
After winning on court three, CSUN clinched the match at No. 3 in a comeback from behind three-set battle.
 
Haily Huynh, at the No. 4 spot, earned the Anteaters second point of the match. Huynh won the first set, 6-4, before digging deep to come out on top in the second set, 7-5.
 
"We knew coming into the match that CSUN was shaping up to be one of the top teams in the conference," stated head coach Elizabeth Ferris Smith. "It's tough to lose the doubles point because this team has so much depth and it's not easy to get four out of the six singles points. A big bright spot in doubles was our number two team. Haily [Huynh] and Carolyna [Fowler] had no opportunity to get any pre-match reps together. They were thrown together last minute. They both put the strategy we gave them to work. It took a few games to get it going, but once they did it was an awesome come from behind win. So much credit to both players for being ready no matter what and for Carolyna to take over the net as she did."
 
"We looked pretty solid to start in singles. Jenna [Schlatter], Haily, Carolyna and Larissa [Teramura] had fast starts while Emily [Fowler] had chances to take the second set. I was so proud of Jenna, she gave us our first win against Sasha. Sasha really goes for the lines and has a style that's hard to prepare for. Haliy had the will to win today as well. The team is working to put in j play what we are doing in the court. I'm confident we will keep making strides."
 
DOUBLES
Sahsa Turchak/Yuliia Zhytelna (CSUN) def. Emily Fowler/Kayla Meraz (UCI) 6-2
Carolyna Fowler/Haily Huynh (UCI) def. Vic Santibanez Luna/Cindy Ung (CSUN) 6-4
Elena Goodman/Angela Ho (CSUN) def. Jenna Schlatter/Larissa Teramura (UCI) 6-2
 
SINGLES DRAWS
Jenna Schlatter (UCI) def. Turchak (CSUN) 6-2, 6-4
Zhytelna (CSUN) def. Amanda Perez (UCI) 6-2, 6-2
Santinanez Luna (CSUN) def. Carolyna Fowler (UCI) 0-6, 6-2, 6-3
Haily Huynh (UCI) def. Emma Moratalla Sanz (CSUN) 6-4, 7-5
Ho (CSUN) def. Emily Fowler (UCI) 6-2, 7-5
Goodman (CSUN) def. Larissa Teramura (UCI) 2-6, 6-2, 6-3
 
EXHIBITION DOUBLES
Nour Khayat/Cydney Yamamoto (UCI) vs. Dermenjyan/O'nell (CSUN) 4-5
Shepperson/West (CSUN) def. Mikaela Hinton/Mia Totah (UCI), 6-3
 
EXHIBITION SINGLES (ONE SET)
West (CSUN) def. Nour Khayat (UCI) 6-2
Harper (CSUN) def. Mikaela Hinton (UCI) 6-4
Solis (CSUN) def. Cydney Yamamoto (UCI) 6-1
Dermenjyan (CSUN) def. Mia Totah (UCI) 6-4
 
WHAT THE PLAYERS HAD TO SAY
"I am happy with the way I was able to step into doubles with Carolyna who I have never played with before. She played great and it made it easy to be confident to play my best. I got a good momentum into singles and was able to close out the match. The second set she had a bunch of chances, but I took the opportunities I was given to close it out in two sets. I am happy with the way everyone competed it was a good match to watch even though it did not go our way. Let's go 'Eaters!" -Haily Huynh

"Today was a tough battle! We all had some really close matches and I'm pleased with how everyone fought really hard. I'm really happy with the way I played in singles today and hope that I can take this confidence into our matches on the East Coast. Go 'Eaters!" -Jenna Schlatter

"I'd like to start with how proud I am of Haily. She really stepped up today especially in doubles and made it a fun match. As for myself, I am glad I stuck with my game in both singles and doubles. There's only a few more things I need to change for singles, and I am excited to put those into my next matches on the East Coast! Go 'Eaters!" -Carolyna Fowler
 
UP NEXT
The Anteaters travel to the East Coast with a Wednesday meeting (Mar. 27) with FDU.