TUCSON, Ariz. – The 38th ranked Arizona women's tennis team jumped on No. 3 California early, but didn't quite have enough to complete the upset, as the Wildcats fell 6-1, Friday afternoon out at the LaNelle Robson Tennis Center.
For Arizona (13-2, 3-1 Pac-12) the loss marks just its second defeat of the season, while it snaps what was a season-high nine-match win streak.
“Our girls battled hard and certainly had countless opportunities to keep this match close, but we just couldn't convert enough games and sets to keep it competitive overall,” said Arizona head coach Vicky Maes. “I feel we did a good job dominating early in the doubles, but we played our singles too conservatively and let the matches slip away.
“Overall though, I was pleased with our fight today and feel we can build on this tomorrow.”
The Wildcats snatched the momentum early, as Briar Preston and Shayne Austin battled back to notch an 8-4 victory on court one, over the No. 5 doubles tandem in the country in Maegan Manasse and Denise Starr. Laura Oldham and Devin Chypyha then clinched the doubles point for UA, as the tandem defeated Karla Popovic and Lyann Hoang 8-6 on court three.
Cal's 11th ranked doubles tandem of Klara Fabikova and Zsofi Susanyi defeated Lauren Marker and Inge Hendrikx 8-2 on court two.
Arizona took a 1-0 lead into singles play, but the Golden Bears were able to prove why they're one of the strongest teams in the country, as they collected victories on all six courts.
Cal tied things up at 1-1 after No. 61 Karla Popovic led Devin Chypyha (15-6, 13-1 Dual) 6-0, 3-1 on court four before the match was called due to fatigue. The loss marked Chypyha's first of the year.
The Bears then took a 2-1 advantage, as No. 33 Zsofi Susanyi earned a 6-1, 6-0 win over Oldham (15-7, 9-5 Dual) on court three before No. 40 Lynn Chi defeated Shayne Austin (13-10, 9-5 Dual) 6-2, 6-2 from the No. 5 spot to make it a 3-1 Cal advantage.
No. 80 Marker (19-4, 14-1 Dual) gave the No. 2 player in the nation all she could handle on court one, but Manasse managed to pull out a hard-fought 6-2, 6-4 win to clinch the match for Cal.
No. 114 Preston (14-5, 11-3 Dual) handled her own on court two, but No. 43 Denise Starr managed to earn a 7-5, 7-6 (8-6) win from the No. 2 spot, while Cecilia Estlander grinded out a tough 6-3, 5-7, 10-8 win over Hendrikx (18-7, 11-3 Dual) on court six to bring the final to 6-1.
Arizona will get back after it on Saturday, as it'll host No. 13 Stanford at noon out at the LaNelle Robson Tennis Center.
#3 California 6, #38 Arizona 1
SINGLES
1. #2 Maegan Manasse (CAL) def. #80 Lauren Marker (ARIZ) 6-2, 6-4
2. #43 Denise Starr (CAL) def. #114 Briar Preston (ARIZ) 7-5, 7-6
3. #33 Zsofi Susanyi (CAL) def. Laura Oldham (ARIZ) 6-1, 6-0
4. #61 Karla Popovic (CAL) def. Devin Chypyha (ARIZ) 6-0, 3-1, retired
5. #40 Lynn Chi (CAL) def. Shayne Austin (ARIZ) 6-2, 6-2
6. Cecilia Estlander (CAL) def. Inge Hendrikx (ARIZ) 6-3, 5-7, 10-8
Order of Finish: 4,3,5,1*,2,6
*Clinching point
DOUBLES
1. Briar Preston/Shayne Austin (ARIZ) def. #5 Maegan Manasse/Denise Starr (CAL) 8-4
2. #11 Klara Fabikova/Zsofi Susanyi (CAL) def. Lauren Marker/Inge Hendrikx (ARIZ) 8-2
3. Laura Oldham/Devin Chypyha (ARIZ) def. Karla Popovic/Lyann Hoang (CAL) 8-6
Order of Finish: 2,1,3
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