IRVINE, Calif. – Winning all matches that were finished, UC Irvine women's tennis won a 4-0 decision at home against Big West opponent UC Riverside on Monday.

The Anteaters made swift work of UCR, quickly claiming the day's doubles point with a 6-1 win victory on the No. 3 line by Bella Pitchford and Haily Huynh, before a No. 2 line pairing of Yen Nhi Huynh and Maily Huynh put UCI officially up 1-0 to start the day with another 6-1 win. The Pitchford/H. Huynh pairing served as the first time the two have shared the court this dual-match season, and is only the second time in their careers they have played a dual match doubles competition together. 

In singles play, the UCI domination continued. Winning on the back three lines, the Anteaters claimed a 4-0 sweep of the Highlanders and were once again led by Pitchford. The junior won the first singles match of the day for UCI in straight sets, tallying her eighth straight singles win on the season. Not long after Pitchford won her match, UCI clinched the day on victories from the Huynh sisters, as H. Huynh's victory was followed by M. Huynh's on the No. 6 line. Both won in straight sets as well.

The win is UC Irvine's first in Big West play this season.

SINGLES RESULTS

1. Yen Nhi Huynh (UCI) vs. Ramey Yu (UCR) 4-6, 4-1, unfinished 

2. Amanda Perez (UCI) vs. Kei Kato (UCR) 0-6, 5-1, unfinished 

3. Carolyna Fowler (UCI) vs. Camile Li (UCR) 6-1, 5-1, unfinished 

4. Haily Huynh (UCI) def. Crystal Kim (UCR) 6-0, 6-3 

5. Bella Pitchford (UCI) def. Sam Condevillamar (UCR) 6-2, 6-1 

6. Maily Huynh (UCI) def. Kaia Paulo (UCR) 6-1, 6-3

DOUBLES RESULTS

1. Carolyna Fowler/Amanda Perez (UCI) vs. Kei Kato/Ramey Yu (UCR) 4-2, unfinished

2. Yen Nhi Huynh/Maily Huynh (UCI) def. Crystal Kim/Camile Li (UCR) 6-1 

3. Bella Pitchford/Haily Huynh (UCI) def. Kaia Paulo/Sam Condevillamar (UCR) 6-1

Order of finish: Doubles (3, 2*); Singles (5, 4, 6*)

FROM ASSISTANT COACH HERMONT LEGASPI

"I'm super pleased with today's outcome for us! We had a whole week's worth of practices leading up to prepare us for conference matches this week onwards and we showed how tough we are in pursuing the doubles point and in singles. I'm super proud of Haily and Bella for playing to their strengths and supporting each other given it being their first time together [this year] as a pairing, as well as for Yen and Maily setting each other up effectively as always! The energy from doubles carried onwards to singles. Everyone on their courts was taking advantage of the scoreboard pressure and fought for every point, especially with Bella and her positioning. These matches today are indicators of who we are as a team in conference, as well as good preparation for what's to come this Friday against the Rainbow Wahine."

FROM CAPTAIN HAILY HUYNH

"I am happy with the way I played today and excited I was able to play with Bella. I played well in singles by playing my game and not missing much. I think this is a good win for us leading up to Hawai'i, everyone played awesome. Go 'Eaters!"

FROM MAILY HUYNH

"It was a very good win today. I'm happy with how quick we got it done, and that everyone stayed confident throughout the match. I was especially happy with how Yen and I played in doubles, and getting the clinch in both singles and doubles. Let's take this conference win into Hawai'i! Go 'Eaters!"

UP NEXT

The Anteaters will travel to Honolulu to face off against another Big West opponent at #57 Hawai'i on Friday (Mar. 27) for a 7:00 p.m. PST first serve.