UCSB picked up a crucial win in its final match of the regular season, squeaking past No. 60-ranked UC Irvine 4-3, in a Big West Conference match Sunday, at the Robertson Gymnasium Courts.
Playing in their final home matches, seniors Jill Damion and Michelle Murphy were honored as a part of Senior Day.
UCSB captured the doubles point for the fifth consecutive match and it ended up being the difference maker as the two teams split the six singles matches. Natalia Lozano and Jordan Dockendorf came back from a 3-0 deficit and rallied for an 8-6 win at court No. 1. After Michelle Murphy and Sofia Novak dropped their match at No. 2 doubles, Damion and Kiersten Meehan clinched the point for the Gauchos with an 8-6 win at court No. 3.
In singles, UCI quickly jumped ahead with straight set wins at courts No. 1 and No. 3. Meehan evened up the match after defeating Brooke Schweyer 6-3, 6-3 at court No. 5. Paola Cos also posted a victory in straight sets at court No. 6 defeating Hannah Holladay 7-6, 6-1.
With the Gauchos leading the match 3-2, Lozano clinched the victory defeating Becca Kwan 6-4, 7-6 at court No. 2.
The Gauchos will head into the Big West Tournament as the No. 4 or No. 5 seed, with a record of 13-9 overall and 5-3 in conference play.
Complete Results listed below:
No. 74 UCSB 4 No. 60 UCI 3
Doubles
1. Lozano/Dockendorf (UCSB) Def. Holladay/Kwan (UCI) 8-6
2. Byron/Smith (UCI) Def. Novak/Murphy (UCSB) 8-5
3. Damion/Meehan (UCSB) Def. Goettsching/M. Young (UCI) 8-6
Singles
1. Courtney Byron (UCI) Def. Sofia Novak (UCSB) 6-4, 6-1
2. Natalia Lozano (UCSB) Def. Becka Kwan (UCI) 6-4, 7-6
3. Kristina Smith (UCI) Def. Jill Damion (UCSB) 6-0. 6-2
4. Franzika Goetsching (UCI) Def. Jordan Dockendorf (UCSB) 6-3, 2-6, (10-7)
5. Kiersten Meehan (UCSB) Def. Brooke Schweyer (UCI) 6-3, 6-3
6. Paola Cos (UCSB) Def. Hannah Holladay (UCI) 7-6, 6-1
Season 13-9. Big West 5-3
