IRVINE, Calif. – UC Irvine outlasted Utah State on Sunday afternoon for a 4-3 victory inside the Anteater Tennis Stadium.
 
The Anteaters (6-5, 1-1) picked up the doubles point after debuting two new pairings. Over at No. 3's, Asha Gidwani made her first appearance of the season with partner Nour Khayat and won 6-2 against Natalie Paterova and Maria Ramos Garcia. Both remaining courts were fighting hard until the No. 1 pairing of Haily Huynh and Kayla Meraz got it done against Olivia Halvorsen and Niyati Kukreti, 6-4.
 
After falling in both doubles matches, the Aggies (4-5) earned two quick victories to go ahead in the match, 2-1. On court two, Meraz was taken all the way to 7-5 in the first set before using her momentum to carry her to a 6-1 win in the second to even up the contest 2-all.
 
Moving up to the No. 3 spot in the lineup, Yen Nhi Huynh was also taken down to the wire in the first game, but did not drop a point in the second game to win 7-5, 6-0 against USU's Cielo Tapia-Cruz. H. Huynh, who helped UCI win the double point, played the hero in singles for the second straight match, clinching the 'Eaters win behind her 7-6 (9-7), 6-1 outing at the No. 4 spot.
 
Despite the outcome of the match already decided, Utah State tacked on one more point in the remaining singles contest [4-6, 7-6 (7-4), 10-8].
 
FROM HEAD COACH ELIZABETH FERRIS SMITH
"Heck of a match today! For Haily and Kayla to get a big win with very little practice at No. 1 doubles is huge and the same goes for Asha and Nour. We played aggressive and didn't back down on the deuce points. I'm pleased with the direction doubles is headed. Singles was also a battle. So many ups and downs. Kayla's opponent had a huge game that could really take the air out of the room with every shot she hits. Kayla fought back from double break down in the first and then kept the foot on the gas pedal for the second. Haily and Yen had similar first sets. Kind of cruising with big leads only for their opponents to storm back. I'm proud of Yen and Haily for shaking that off and not feeling sorry for themselves. They could've easily been distracted but they chose to play tough as nails. Big match for Bella as well, the win was within reach. I'm really liking our energy and chemistry, and we are looking forward to more tough matches!"
 
FROM THE PLAYERS
"I am glad to be able to clinch both singled and doubles today after my injury. It felt really good to play again at home and with a team that is so resilient. I was nervous to play doubles for the first time, but I was able to believe. In singles, my opponent fought so hard, and I was able to outlast her in singles. The energy was awesome, and I am glad we were able to get a team win. I am glad I was able to pull out my wins today to give our team a chance. I am so proud of this team, go 'Eaters!" –Haily Huynh
 
"It was a really great match and it is so fun to be back! Nour and I did really well in our doubles match. We stayed really aggressive, and we really trusted each other out there. We took it one game at a time, and it ultimately paid off. In singles, our entire team fought for every point and every game. I'm really proud of them today and I think it's important to keep this energy rolling into our next matches!" –Asha Gidwani
 
SINGLES RESULTS
Indya Nespor (USU) def. Carolyna Fowler (UCI) 6-1, 6-3
Kayla Meraz (UCI) def. Olivia Halvorsen (USU) 7-5, 6-1
Yen Nhi Huynh (UCI) def. Cielo Tapia-Cruz (USU) 7-5, 6-0
Haily Huynh (UCI) def. Natalie Paterova (USU) 7-6 (9-7), 6-1
Niyati Kukreti (USU) def. Maily Huynh (UCI) 6-2, 6-1
Maria Ramos Garcia (USU) def. Bella Pitchford (UCI) 4-6, 7-6 (7-4), 10-8
 
DOUBLES RESULTS
Kayla Meraz/Haily Huynh (UCI) def. Olivia Halvorsen/Niyati Kukreti (USU) 6-4
Carolyna Fowler/Yen Nhi Huynh (UCI) vs. Indya Nespor/Cielo Tapia-Cruz (USU) 5-5 unf.
Asha Gidwani/Nour Khayat (UCI) vs. Natalie Paterova/Maria Ramos Garcia (USU) 6-2
 
EXHIBITION SINGLES
Kylee Sperry (USU) def. Lindsay Kim (UCI) 1-6, 6-4, 10-3
Ana Sabikova (USU) def. Nour Khayat (UCI) 6-3, 6-1
 
EXHIBITION DOUBLES
Kylee Sperry/Ana Sabikova (USU) def. Bella Pitchford/Lindsay Kim (UCI) 6-4
 
UP NEXT
The Anteaters continue the homestand with a Tuesday Mar. 11 meeting with Illinois State. The match is scheduled to start at 12 p.m.