TUCSON, Ariz. - Arizona (11-11, 2-7 Pac-12) dropped a 5-2 match to No. 39 USC (10-8, 5-4 Pac-12) at the LaNelle Robson Tennis Center on Saturday, Apr. 15.  

"It was an emotional day as we expected," said head coach Vicky Maes. "We sort of drifted into the doubles, and weren't really ready to play. We never really found our rhythm, even though we had several deuce games. If we win those deuce games, who knows what happens. You never know, but we didn't give ourselves a chance to find out. We battled in singles, but again we couldn't convert under pressure. We do have a young lineup, but at the same time it's well into the season, so we need to find those opportunities and convert. I was happy to see Paris play well again. The last couple of matches she wasn't really herself. To come back and play against a solid player, and win convincingly, was great. On senior day, watching Lauren take advantage of that last opportunity at home, was awesome. Sam battled. Just being in it and fighting, even though she's hurt, that's a contribution she has to be proud of."
 
"It was a very special day for me," said Samantha Czarniak. "I haven't been playing a lot because of my injury, so this was definitely special. Not only because I was back on the court, but also because it was senior day. It was very emotional for me and Lauren. Even though I didn't get the win, I definitely enjoyed being out here. My head was a little all over the place in the beginning, but we had a good time. These two years were very special for me at Arizona."
 
"I was especially happy that Sam could compete on senior day," said Lauren Marker. "It's really special that we were able to compete together, and right next to each other. That was really fun. It was a very emotional day, but it was special competing for the last time here. I'll cherish my four years here forever."

Before the match started, Coach Maes honored each of our seniors as they received a warm ovation from the crowd. Doubles kicked off immediately afterwards, in which USC featured three ranked pairs. No. 41 Smith/Katz defeated Sophia Thomas and Camila Wesbrooks 6-0. No. 61 Kulikov/Westby beat Czarniak and Marie Van Aelst 6-0 to clinch the doubles point. Paris Corley and Marker were leading No. 71 Valdes/Failla 4-2 before the match was abandoned.
 
No. 113 Zoë Katz gave USC its first singles point with a 6-2, 6-3 win over Wesbrooks. Corley put the Cats on the board by beating Rianna Valdes 6-2, 6-4. No. 46 Jessica Failla beat Czarniak 6-3, 6-1 on court No. 2. Angela Kulikov clinched a Trojan victory with a 6-4, 6-2 win over Thomas. Madison Westby won a 6-4, 6-3 match over Van Aelst. In her last home match, No. 31 Marker defeated No. 23 Gabby Smith 7-5, 6-3.

Doubles
1. Paris Corley/Lauren Marker (ARIZ) vs. #71 Rianna Valdes/Jessica Failla (USC) 4-2, unfinished
 
2. #41 Gabby Smith/Zoe Katz (USC) def. Sophia Thomas/Camila Wesbrooks (ARIZ) 6-0

3. #61 Angela Kulikov/Madison Westby (USC) def. Samantha Czarniak/Marie Van Aelst (ARIZ) 6-0
 
Order of finish: 2, 3
 
Singles
1. #31 Lauren Marker (ARIZ) def. #23 Gabby Smith (USC) 7-5, 6-3
 
2. #46 Jessica Failla (USC) def. Samantha Czarniak (ARIZ) 6-3, 6-1
 
3. Paris Corley (ARIZ) def. Rianna Valdes (USC) 6-2, 6-4
 
4. #113 Zoe Katz (USC) def. Camila Wesbrooks (ARIZ) 6-2, 6-3
 
5. Madison Westby (USC) def. Marie Van Aelst (ARIZ) 6-4, 6-3
 
6. Angela Kulikov (USC) def. Sophia Thomas (ARIZ) 6-4, 6-2
 
Order of finish: 4, 3, 2, 6, 5, 1
 
Up Next
All that is left for the Cats in the regular season is a rivalry match against ASU on Saturday, Apr. 22 at 1 p.m. MST in Tempe.
 
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