IRVINE, Calif. - UC Irvine women's tennis' late comeback fell short 4-3 against UC Davis in their Big West opener on Sunday at Anteater Tennis Stadium. 
 
UCI (1-4, 0-1 Big West) trailed UCD (3-6, 1-1 Big West) early after dropping the doubles point. Maily Huynh and Nour Khayat fell to Claire Galerkin/Kaia Wolfe 6-0 at No. 2, followed by another Aggies win on court one which saw Mika Ikemori/Daisy Maunupau defeat Kayla Meraz and Amanda Perez, 6-4, to put the visitors up 1-0. Carolyna Fowler and Yen Nhi Huynh teamed up for the 'Eaters in the final match to take down Polina Marakhtanova/Solia Valentine 7-5. 
 
UC Davis carried its momentum into singles with Carolyna Fowler falling to Maya Youseef, 6-4, 6-2, at the third position. Haily Huynh then earned the first point for the Anteaters with a 6-4, 6-2 victory over Kaia Wolfe at No. 4. The Aggies proceeded to secure a 3-1 lead when Mika Ikemori held off Amanda Perez, 6-3, 7-5, at the top of the lineup.
 
UC Irvine rallied back with two straight wins to tie it at 3-all. Kayla Meraz bounced back from a first-set loss to upend Solia Valentine 3-6, 6-4, 6-0, at the second position before Yen Nhi Huynh outlasted Daisy Maunupau 5-7, 7-6 (7-4), 7-6 (7-2), at No. 6 to bring the teams even.
 
It came down to the last match on court five where Maily Huynh came up just short in a seesaw battle with Penelope Wong 5-7, 7-5, 7-6 (8-6).

FROM THE PLAYERS
"I am pleased with the way I played today. I wanted to get my job done and I did that. I am proud of everyone for fighting hard but I know we will build off this. We are a tough team to beat and I know that we will play smarter next match. I am happy with this win for myself and I think it will help motivate me throughout the season. Go 'Eaters!!" – Haily Huynh

"Doubles energy carried into singles and I started off strong. My opponent got a lead with the first set but I stayed patient with each point and took it one point at a time. The last two sets were both tight and I tried my best to fight for every point. Next one 'Eaters!" – Yen Nhi Huynh
 
SINGLES RESULTS
Mika Ikemori (UCD) def. Amanda Perez (UCI) 6-3, 7-5
Kayla Meraz (UCI) def. Solia Valentine (UCD) 3-6, 6-4, 6-0
Maya Youssef (UCD) def. Carolyna Fowler (UCI) 6-1, 6-2
Haily Huynh (UCI) def. Kaia Wolfe (UCD) 6-4, 6-2
Penelope Wong (UCD) def. Maily Huynh (UCI) 5-7, 7-5, 7-6 (8-6)
Yen Nhi Huynh (UCI) def. Daisy Maunupau (UCD) 5-7, 7-6 (7-4), 7-6 (7-2)
 
DOUBLES RESULTS
Mika Ikemori/Daisy Maunupau (UCD) def. Kayla Meraz/Amanda Perez (UCI) 6-4
Claire Galerkin/Kaia Wolfe (UCD) def. Maily Huynh/Nour Khayat (UCI) 6-0
Carolyna Fowler/Yen Nhi Huynh (UCI) def. Polina Marakhtanova/Solia Valentine (UCD) 7-5
Penelope Wong/Maya Youssef (UCD) def. Haily Huynh/Isabella Pitchford (UCI) 6-0 (Exhibition)

UP NEXT
UC Irvine continues Big West play on the road next week, traveling to UC Riverside for a 2 p.m. match on Thursday, Feb. 20.