LOS ANGELES -- Cal State LA's women's tennis team came roaring back after a disappointing start in doubles, but fell short of a complete turnaround in its match Monday against Azusa Pacific.

The Golden Eagles dropped all three doubles contests, but won three of the first four singles matches off the court before ulimately falling, 5-4, to the Cougars at the Cal State LA Tennis Complex. It was another gripping battle between the two nationally-ranked programs. Cal State LA (2-2), ranked 16th in the nation, pulled out two tight decisions over Azusa Pacific (4-1), ranked 14th, late last season after dropping a 5-4 decision in the first meeting in Azusa on March 26. The Golden Eagles won 5-4 in Los Angeles on March 31 and 5-3 in the first-round of the PacWest Championships in Arizona on April 16.

Tuesday's early-season meeting wasn't quite as dramatic, but showed once again how close the two programs are. Azusa Pacific got a big jump in the doubles and clinched the match with a pair of singles victories.

Cal State LA got a big win at No. 1 singles where Nozomi Matsuoka rallied from an early 3-0 deficit to beat Natalie Johnson, 7-5, 6-2, reversing the outcome of the West Region championship match in September. Kayleigh Hall won again at No. 3 singles, 6-3, 7-5, over Valeriia Kashina and Iris Raileanu beat Lilit Varganyan at No. 4 singles, 3-6, 6-1, 6-2. Pyper Brown was leading Kara Hinton at No. 5 singles, 6-3, 2-6, 3-2 when the Cougar player retired.

Cal State LA will return to action with another home match on Saturday against Stanislaus State at 11 a.m.

#14 Azusa Pacific 5, #16 Cal State LA 4
Feb 15, 2016 at Los Angeles, CA

Singles competition

1. Nozomi Matsuoka (LA) def. Natalie Johnson (APU) 7-5, 6-2

2. Lisa Schneider (APU) def. Elizaveta Sokolova (LA) 6-1, 7-6

3. Kayleigh Hall (LA) def. Valeriia Kashina (APU) 6-3, 7-5

4. Iris Raileanu (LA) def. Lilit Varganyan (APU) 3-6, 6-1, 6-2

5. Pyper Brown (LA) def. Kara Hinton (APU) 6-3, 2-6, 3-2, retired

6. Jackie Resler (APU) def. Isabella Lopez (LA) 6-0, 6-0

 

Doubles competition

1. Natalie Johnson/Lisa Schneider (APU) def. Nozomi Matsuoka/Iris Raileanu (LA) 8-2

2. Lilit Varganyan/Kara Hinton (APU) def. Elizaveta Sokolova/Isabella Lopez (LA) 8-6

3. Valeriia Kashina/Jackie Resler (APU) def. Kayleigh Hall/Pyper Brown (LA) 8-3

Match Notes

Azusa Pacific 4-1; National ranking #14

Cal State LA 2-2; National ranking #16

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