Box Score TEANECK, N.J. – UC Irvine opened their spring break trip to the East Coast with a 4-1 victory over Fairleigh Dickinson Wednesday afternoon.
 
Due to the threat of inclement weather, the match was started with the six singles matches in hopes that the sky would remain clear to complete doubles. Only five individual competitions were finished out as the rain rolled in.
 
Graduate student Jenna Schlatter was first on the board with her No. 1 singles win. Schlatter went 6-2 in the first set and then did not drop a game in her second match, 6-0. Haily Huynh pushed the Anteater advantage with her victory at No. 5, 6-3, 6-1.
 
The match was then brought within one, 2-1, when FDU collected a point (6-2, 7-5) on court five.
 
Sophomore Larissa Teramura pushed UCI's lead back to two with two 6-4 wins at the No. 6 spot. The focus was then placed on the three-set matches taking place on both courts two and three.
 
Amanda Perez, who was slated at the No. 2 spot, came back from behind to make it a close first set loss before rattling off two wins to clinch the match for UC Irvine, 4-1.
 
"What a great team win today," exclaimed head coach Elizabeth Ferris Smith. "The sky was looking dark, so we decided to start with singles first. Jenna [Schlatter] got us started off with the first win. She had a solid strategy that was executed perfectly from start to finish. Haily [Huynh] had a tight first set, but once she got the set, she cruised in the second to get our second point. Larissa [Teramura] was solid on her deuce point games. She was so mentally tough. Jenna, Haily, and Larissa looked sharp out there today. They made very few mental errors."
 
"With rain threatening we knew the match was going to come down to either Carolyna [Fowler] or Amanda [Perez]. Amanda got down 5-2 in the first but did a good job to get it to 5-4. She started playing with full confidence in the strategy and was able to start the second set playing the way we needed her to. Meanwhile, Carolyna started quick and won the first set. When she has a high first serve percentage and she's mixing her defense and offense smartly she's tough to beat. Credit to her opponent for making some changes to win the second set. The third set went back and forth. They each gave it their all. Carolyna was at 4-4 and Amanda was up 4-1 when the drizzles started. We knew once the rain started it wouldn't stop. It was a race between Carolyna and Amanda to see who could close it out first. Amanda handled the pressure of the situation so well. She stuck to the game plan and looked confident. I'm proud she's the one who clinched the win. To be out for a couple weeks due to injury and then play two spots higher in the lineup isn't easy."
 
"The team is continuing to improve their games and play with purpose, confidence, and as a team."
 
SINGLES DRAWS
Jenna Schlatter (UCI) def. Alena Kubanova (FDU) 6-2, 6-0  
Amanda Perez (UCI) def. Anastasia Lim (FDU) 4-6, 6-3, 6-1
Mireia Turro (FDU) vs. Carolyna Fowler (UCI) 4-6, 6-2, 5-4 uf
Haily Huynh (UCI) def. Namie Isago (FDU) 6-3, 6-1
Valentina Silva (FDU) def. Emily Fowler (UCI) 6-2, 7-5
Larissa Teramura (UCI) def. Katsiaryna Kostina (FDU) 6-4, 6-4
 
WHAT THE PLAYERS HAD TO SAY
"I'm proud of my team's performance in our first match of our spring break trip! We were dealing with different conditions and started with singles first, but we were able to start off strong as if we already played doubles. It took me a bit longer to find my game, but once I did, I took off. I knew towards the end when it started drizzling that I needed to be the one to clinch the match, and I'm proud of myself for taking that knowledge and using it as fuel to finish the match. Ready for our next match tomorrow, go 'Eaters!!" -Amanda Perez
 
"Today was a great win as a team! We usually don't start with singles, but everyone had a solid mindset and grit as a team, and it pushed us to the overall win. I was extremely proud of the fight that the whole team showed! In my match, I stayed mentally tough and stayed true to myself, and it resulted in the win, so I'm very happy with the result today, and I hope the momentum carries to tomorrow's match." -Larissa Teramura
 
UP NEXT
UCI continues on with East Coast action on Mar. 28 with a 11 a.m. PT (2 p.m. ET) tilt with Seton Hall.