IRVINE, Calif. – In the final match of the regular season, UCI (10-12, 1-8 Big West) took it down to the wire, battling in crucial three-set matches in singles play, but ultimately fell to Hawai'i 5-2 Saturday afternoon.
 
The Anteaters opened the match up strong as they clinched the doubles point. On court three, the duo of Amanda Perez and Maily Huynh made quick work of the Rainbow Wahine's Hannah Galindo and Makeilah Nepomuceno, 6-1. UH took the second doubles match, 6-3, needing a result at the remaining doubles spot to determine the point. Kayla Meraz and Haily Huynh went the distance on court three, 6-4, against Peppi Ramstedt and Sheena Masuda to earn the point for the 'Eaters.
 
Freshman Yen Nhi Huynh once again pulled out an individual victory for UCI, downing UH's Galindo 6-1, 6-1 to give the home team a 2-0 lead. The Rainbow Wahine then fired away for three singles wins in the top half of the lineup at No. 3 (6-2, 7-5), No. 2 (6-4, 6-0), and No. 1 (6-3, 6-3) to pull ahead in the match, 3-2.
 
Both the matches at the No. 5 and No. 6 spots were battles with both ending the first set with a 7-5 result, the one on court five in favor of H. Huynh and the one on court six going in favor of UH. The Rainbow Wahine's Makeilah Nepomuceno rattled off two-straight match wins to pull out the 5-7, 6-3, 6-4 result at No. 5 to clinch the match for Hawai'i. Continuing on, M. Huynh exerted all that she could to come away with the second set victory that was forced into extra's 7-6 (7-4) but could not pull off the win in three.
 
FROM HEAD COACH ELIZABETH FERRIS SMITH
"I'm proud of how we played doubles today. Threes stepped up and played to our scouting report, executing flawlessly with no fear and ones did an excellent job of closing it out. Yen got us on the board early. After such a physical match yesterday, I'm glad she took care of business quickly. Lyna, Amanda, and Kayla gave good efforts and Haily and Maily were absolute warriors out there. We had some chances to close it out at five and six. At the end of the match, it was a pleasure to celebrate our senior Kayla. She has been such a great addition to the team. She pursues excellence in every aspect of her life. She has been a fantastic two-time captain for us, an outstanding student, and a solid player for us at number one singles and doubles. She also has such a supportive and friendly family that shows up in numbers to every match and not only cheers for Kayla, but the whole team. We have been blessed to have her as an Anteater, and we are looking forward to great matches at Big West. Let's go 'Eaters!!"
 
FROM THE PLAYERS
While we didn't get the outcome we wanted, I am beyond proud of the fight that we put up. Starting with doubles, we came in swinging and used our energy to help us gain the doubles point. Going into singles, I had a tough match but was proud of the fight that I put up. Overall, I am beyond proud of the team, and so blessed to have been an Anteater." –Kayla Meraz
 
SINGLES RESULTS
Ana Vilcek (UH) def. Kayla Meraz (UCI) 6-3, 6-3
Nikola Homolkova (UH) def. Carolyna Fowler (UCI) 6-2, 7-5
Peppi Ramstedt (UH) def. Amanda Perez (UCI) 6-4, 6-0
Yen Nhi Huynh (UCI) def. Hannah Galindo (UH) 6-1, 6-1
Makeilah Nepomuceno (UH) def. Haily Huynh (UCI) 5-7, 6-3, 6-4
Joelle Lanz (UH) def. Maily Huynh (UCI) 7-5, 6-7 (4-7), 6-4
 
DOUBLES RESULTS
Kayla Meraz/Haily Huynh (UCI) def. Peppi Ramstedt/Sheena Masuda (UH) 6-4
Ana Vilcek/Nikola Homolkova (UH) def. Carolyna Fowler/Yen Nhi Huynh (UCI) 6-3
Amanda Perez/Maily Huynh (UCI) def. Hannah Galindo/Makeilah Nepomuceno (UH) 6-1
 
EXHIBITION SINGLES RESULTS
Emma Forgac (UH) def. Bella Pitchford (UCI) 6-2, 6-2
Allaire Berl (UH) def. Lindsay Kim (UCI) 6-1, 6-4
 
EXHIBITION DOUBLES RESULTS
Bella Pitchford/Lindsay Kim (UCI) vs. Joelle Lanz/Emma Forgac 5-4
 
UP NEXT
UC Irvine awaits their seed and opponent for the 2025 Big West Championship held in San Diego next week (Apr. 24-27).