Box Score LA JOLLA, Calif. – The Anteaters fought down to the win at UC San Diego in a three and a half hour match but dropped 4-3 to the Tritons.
 
The doubles portion of the match was played clinch and singles matches were played out.
 
 UC Irvine pulled out a new doubles lineup out of their pocket which worked in their favor. Senior Emily Fowler and junior Kayla Meraz debuted together at No. 1 where they grabbed the 6-3 victory. The pairing of Carolyna Fowler and Asha Gidwani clinched the doubles point on court two with their hard fought 6-4 win.
 
UC San Diego recorded their first point of the match at No. 3 singles before Haily Huynh kept the Anteaters ahead, 2-1, with her 7-5, 6-1 victory on court five.
 
The Tritons then went on to score two more at No. 6 and No. 4 in close matches. Jenna Schlatter battled in a three-set contest, earning her points on the bookends of the game (6-0, 3-6, 6-4).
 
All eyes were on court two for the pivotal match point. Set one went in Asha Gidwani's favor in extra points 7-6 (7-4). UC San Diego's Kelly Leung won the second set, 6-4, to force the deciding third set. Leung took the 6-2 set point to earn the Tritons the 4-3 match win.
 
"Great start to the match in doubles today," remarked head coach Elizabeth Ferris Smith. "All courts had solid court position, shot selection, and first serve percentage. All three doubles pairs complemented each other. We were on a high after doubles but knew we had a grind ahead of us."
 
"Outside of singles courts 1 and 2 we were down several breaks on courts 3-6. Haily [Huynh] was down 4-1 and then 5-2 but stayed coachable and kept trying to find her opponents weakness. Once she did there was no turning back. Jenna [Schlatter] had a quick 6-0 start, but her opponent changed her tactics. From the second set on it was one heck of a fight. Pachl was pressuring her with positioning and throwing darts, but Jenna ran every single one down and cut her shots up. You can always count on Jenna to fight for every ball, slice and dice, but today, she had to rise to the occasion and come up with some sharper shots. You know Jenna is locked in when you're several courts away but hear her cheering herself and the team on. Jenna and Haily played with a tremendous amount of heart and pride."
 
"Jorniak was stone cold out there, nothing seemed to phase her. Larissa [Teramura] battled to make it a match but a lot of credit to her for playing her aggressive style so solid. Gamal and Pearson also seemed to have an answer to all of Amanda's [Perez] and Carolyna's [Fowler] shots.
 
"With the match tied at 3-3 and Asha [Gidwani] up a set and 4-3 it was looking like we had it. But you can't count out Leung. No matter the score she makes you earn your points. She gives nothing away; you must beat her. It was thrilling to have the match come down to the wire and I thought Asha fought hard and put herself in great positions."
 
"As a team, we need to continue focusing on being stingy with errors. Our opponents won't give us too many opportunities, so when we have them, we have to play locked in."
 
DOUBLES
Emily Fowler/Kayla Meraz (UCI) def. Grace Gamal/Ella Pachl (UCSD) 6-3
Carolyna Fowler/Asha Gidwani (UCI) def. Cincy Chen/Kelly Leung (UCSD) 6-3
Naomi Nguyen/Sophie Pearson (UCSD) vs. Jenna Schlatter/Larissa Teramura (UCI) 4-3 uf
 
SINGLES DRAWS
Jenna Schlatter (UCI) def. Pachl (UCSD) 6-0, 3-6, 6-4
Leung (UCI) def. Asha Gidwani (UCI) 6-7 (4-7), 6-4, 6-2
Gamal (UCI) def. Amanda Perez (UCI) 6-4, 6-3
Pearson (UCSD) def. Carolyna Fowler (UCI) 6-2, 7-6 (7-2)
Haily Huynh (UCI) def. Katelyn Vu (UCSD) 7-5, 6-1  
Polina Jorniak (UCSD) def. Larissa Teramura (UCI) 6-4, 6-3
 
EXHIBITION SINGLES
Chen (UCSD) def. Nour Khayat (UCI) 6-3 (one set)
Mikaela Hinton (UCI) def. Nguyen (UCSD) 6-3 (one set)
 
WHAT THE PLAYERS HAD TO SAY
"Today was a great battle from both teams. I'm proud of the energy we had and the competitiveness we possessed throughout the entire match! We had a lot of new doubles pairings, and everyone adapted very well and fought strongly. A lot to learn from this match as we move forward into our next home match. Go 'Eaters!" -Jenna Schlatter
 
"Kayla and I brought amazing energy into competing today. I thought we did a good job supporting each other and our teammates on all doubles courts. I'm really proud of how we played together and kept ourselves composed when the game score was close. Singles was a battle, and I had fun cheering on my teammates and watching them fight! Excited to compete next week as well, go 'Eaters!!" -Emily Fowler
 
"I am really happy with the way I was able to come back from a 4-1 deficit. I was able to be confident in my game and come back. I am proud of the way everyone fought, tough match day but I know we will bounce back. I am proud of the way the doubles were able to close out too, everyone was able to swing through and close it out. Go 'Eaters!" -Haily Huynh
 
UP NEXT
UCI hosts Dartmouth (Mar. 15) at the Anteater Tennis Stadium for a 2 p.m. match.