IRVINE, Calif. – UC Irvine women's tennis dropped its season opener to Houston 4-0 on Friday in Irvine.

The Anteaters opened play against UH with three competitive doubles matches for the day's sole doubles point, but fell just short in the best-of-three series, losing 2-1. Yen Nhi Huynh and Haily Huynh combined for UCI's victory during doubles play, defeating Houston's Valeriia Krokhotina and Alexia Lavinia Puiac 6-1.

The Anteaters struggled in singles play on Friday, falling to the Cougars in three deciding singles matches. Amanda Perez led the way for UC Irvine against Houston from the No. 2 position, pushing her first singles set to a 7-5 finish in a loss before a Cougar match-clinching win on another court ended her second set and match unfinished. Y. Huynh and Bella Pitchford had their matches end unfinished due to the Houston clinch as well, on the No. 1 line and No. 4 line, respectively.

The Anteaters resume play Sunday (Jan. 18), taking on Nevada at home with an 11:00 a.m. serve to start action.

SINGLES RESULTS

1. Elizaveta Morozova (HOU) v. Yen Nhi Huynh (UCI) 6-3, 5-2, unfinished

2. Alexia Lavinia Puiac (HOU) v. Amanda Perez (UCI) 7-5, 4-1, unfinished

3. Chems Doha Zeghlouli (HOU) def. Haily Huynh (UCI) 6-2, 6-3

4. Petja Drame (HOU) v. Bella Pitchford (UCI) 6-3, 4-0, unfinished

5. Valeriia Krokhotina (HOU) def. Maily Huynh (UCI) 7-5, 6-0

6. Sophie Schouten (HOU) def. Quin Brady (UCI) 6-2, 6-0

DOUBLES RESULTS

1. Sophie Schouten / Chems Doha Zeghlouli (HOU) def. Amanda Perez / Carolyna Fowler (UCI), 6-3

2. Haily Huynh / Yen Nhi Huynh (UCI) def. Valeriia Krokhotina / Alexia Lavinia Puiac (HOU) 6-1

3. Elizaveta Morozova / Petja Drame (HOU) def. Bella Pitchford / Mackenzie Lukin (UCI) 6-2