AZUSA -- Cal State L.A.'s women's team enjoyed the start, but not the finish of a big NCAA Division II West Region match with Azusa Pacific.

The Golden Eagles started quickly by winning two of the three doubles contests, but Azusa Pacific turned things around in the singles matches and took a 5-4 decision at the Burrelson Tennis Center. Cal State L.A. (6-7) is ranked 22nd in the nation and sixth in the West Region, while Azusa Pacific is 18th in the nation and fifth in the West Region.

Cal State L.A. got the match off to a promising start by winning the top two doubles matches. Sonia Landeros and Nozomi Matsuoka defeated Valeriia Kashina and Natalie Johnson at No. 1 doubles, 8-2, and Iris Raileanu and Alexandra Makashov beat Lindsey Yeom and Jackie Resler at No. 2 doubles, 8-3. Victoria Vo and Elizaveta Sokolova came up short at No. 3 doubles, falling to Danae Ingwaldson and Brenda Duval, 8-4.

Matsuoka finished off a strong day for the Golden Eagles with a 6-3, 6-4 win over Kashina at No. 2 singles and Sokolova rallied for a 1-6, 6-4 (10-7) win at No. 3 singles over Resler.

Azusa Pacific won the other four singles matches. Landeros fell at No. 1 singles, 6-4, 6-2, to Johnson, while Raileanu lost at No. 4 singles, 6-2, 6-1, to Ingwaldson, Vo fell to Lindsey Yeom, 6-4, 6-4, at No. 5 singles and Makashov lost to Sierra Troxel at No. 6 singles, 6-1, 6-1.

Cal State L.A. will return to action on Saturday with a home match against Hawaii-HIlo beginning at 10 a.m.

#18 Azusa Pacific 5, #22 Cal State L.A. 4
Mar 26, 2015 at Azusa, Calif.

Singles competition

1. Natalie Johnson (APU) def. Sonia Landeros (LA) 6-4, 6-2

2. Nozomi Matsuoka (LA) def. Valeriia Kashina (APU) 6-3, 6-4

3. Elizaveta Sokolova (LA) def. Jackie Resler (APU) 1-6, 6-4, 10-7

4. Danae Ingwaldson (APU) def. Iris Raileanu (LA) 6-2, 6-1

5. Lindsey Yeom (APU) def. Victoria Vo (LA) 6-4, 6-4

6. Sierra Troxel (APU) def. Alexandra Makashov (LA) 6-1, 6-1

 

Doubles competition

1. Sonia Landeros/Nozomi Matsuoka (LA) def. Valeriia Kashina/Natalie Johnson (APU) 8-2

2. Alexandra Makashov/Iris Raileanu (LA) def. Lindsey Yeom/Jackie Resler (APU) 8-3

3. Danae Ingwaldson/Bethany Duval (APU) def. Victoria Vo/Elizaveta Sokolova (LA) 8-4

 

Match Notes

Cal State L.A. 6-7; National ranking #22; Regional ranking #6

Azusa Pacific 10-7; National ranking #18; Regional ranking #5

Order of finish: Doubles (1,2,3); Singles (4,6,1,2,5,3)

Official: Diana Williams