IRVINE, Calif. – In its first home match in over a month, UC Irvine women's tennis (3-4, 0-2) took a thriller against Portland (1-4) on Friday, winning 4-3.
The Anteaters played a hotly contested match from first serve to the final point, with the match coming down to Maily Huynh's victory on the sixth line, where the sophomore went down a set and came back to win two straight to secure UCI's third match victory of the season.
UC Irvine started the day strong, winning the doubles point and the first two doubles matches played on Friday with Amanda Perez/Carolyna Fowler and Bella Pitchford/Quin Brady getting the job done for the Anteaters.
After UCI decidedly won the day's doubles point, the Anteaters continued putting up points with victories on the No. 4 and No. 5 lines by Haily Huynh and Pitchford, respectively. The victories each came in just two sets and put the Anteaters up 3-0, just one victory away from a match clinch.
However, Portland answered with three straight victories on the No. 3, 1 and 2 lines, evening the score at 3 with just the No. 6 line matchup remaining. Despite the quick change in momentum and being down a set, M. Huynh stood strong for the Anteaters and won her final two sets to claim a victory for both herself and UC Irvine to close the day.
In exhibition play, Sayuri Parandian and Quin Brady both picked up victories, winning each match in two sets.
The Anteaters will have a quick turnaround, hosting Pacific on Saturday with a 10:00 a.m first serve.
SINGLES RESULTS
1. Alaia Rubio Perez (POR) def. Yen Nhi Huynh (UCI) 3-6, 6-2, 6-4
2. Dariya Radulova (POR) def. Amanda Perez (UCI) 6-1, 1-6, 6-2
3. N. Arbaizar Martinez (POR) def. Carolyna Fowler (UCI) 6-3, 6-3
4. Haily Huynh (UCI) def. Maria Galatescu (POR) 6-2, 6-1
5. Bella Pitchford (UCI) def. Lexie Flores (POR) 6-3, 6-2
6. Maily Huynh (UCI) def. Meagan Pearson (POR) 6-7, 6-2, 6-3
Order of finish: 4, 5, 3, 1, 2, 6*
DOUBLES RESULTS
1. Carolyna Fowler/Amanda Perez (UCI) def. Alaia Rubio Perez/Maria Galatescu (POR) 6-3
2. Dariya Radulova/Lexie Flores (POR) def. Yen Nhi Huynh/Haily Huynh (UCI) 6-4
3. Bella Pitchford/Quin Brady (UCI) def. N. Arbaizar Martinez/Meagan Pearson (POR) 6-2
Order of finish: 1, 3*, 2
FROM HEAD COACH ELIZABETH FERRIS SMITH
"Great team win today! We started off hot in doubles getting big leads but Portland fought back. We did a nice job of sticking with the game plan to close out the doubles point. Against a talented team like Portland, getting the doubles point was crucial."
"Haily got off the court with a win quickly and had an answer for any way her opponent played. Bella's first few games were a little tricky. Flores can pin you in a corner and make you feel overpowered. It's also a ball that's a little tough to prepare for. Bella used all her tools to fight that off and make the match uncomplicated. It was our turn today to have the lead in the team score with three matches left. Yen Nhi, Amanda and Carolyna played tough and gave themselves chances but we soon found ourselves tied up at 3-3. Maily played a very tricky opponent that was both tough from the baseline and net and also had a strong serve. It was a style that could very easily frustrate you to the point you end up beating yourself. Maily was very coachable and wanted the win badly. She stayed steady when necessary and then took the mid court when she had the opportunity to close out the net. I liked our court positioning from top to bottom and our team fight. We have a quick turnaround tomorrow and we are looking forward to the challenge."
FROM HAILY HUYNH
"I am happy with the way I played today and the team. I didn't start great with doubles but I changed my mentality in singles. I have been working on focusing point-by-point and not looking at the end result. I think this made me win today, by focusing on the present I played so much better. I am proud of doubles for closing it out and especially my sister for clinching . I am excited for the match tomorrow."
FROM MAILY HUYNH
"I was really happy with how everyone played today. Even though we weren't able to play for a couple days due to rain, we didn't let that set us back, and came into the match with our heads high. In my singles match my opponent was very crafty and frustrating, but I didn't let her get in my head, ultimately coming up on top. Let's take this win into our match against Pacific! Go 'Eaters!"
