AZUSA -- Cal State LA's women's tennis team fell into a big hole after doubles and the Golden Eagles were unable to recover in another tight match against Azusa Pacific.

The Golden Eagles dropped all three doubles contests and a split in the six singles matches meant a 6-3 loss to the Cougars Thursday in Azusa. Cal State LA (5-2) found itself behind after the doubles portion of the match for the first time this season and Azusa Pacific (2-2) held on for the regional victory.

Nozomi Matsuoka was a bright spot for the Golden Eagles, rallying to post a 3-6, 7-6 (7-5), 10-6 win over Natalie Johnson in a hard-fought match at No. 1 singles. Iris Raileanu also had a singles win, recording a straight-set, 7-6 (7-5), 6-1 win over Kara Hinton at No. 4 singles. Luciana Di Laura had the other singles win, a three-set vfictory over Lilit Vardanyan, 4-6, 6-0, 6-3 triumph at No. 5 singles.

The Golden Eagles, though, simply couldn't overcome the surprising results in doubles. Two of the three went down to the wire with Matsuoka and Kayleigh Hall falling at No. 1 doubles, 9-7, and Elizaveta Sokolova and Di Laura coming up just short at No. 3 doubles, 8-6.

Cal State LA will return to action on Saturday, weather permitting, with a home match against Concordia.


#23 Azusa Pacific University 6, #24 Cal State LA 3
Feb 16, 2017 at Azusa Pacific University
 

Singles competition

1. Nozomi Matsuoka (LA) def. #38 Natalie Johnson (APU) 3-6, 7-6 (7-5), 10-6

2. #29 Lisa Schneider (APU) def. #42 Kayleigh Hall (LA) 6-2, 6-4

3. Valeriia Kashina (APU) def. Elizaveta Sokolova (LA) 6-4, 6-4

4. Iris Raileanu (LA) def. Kara Hinton (APU) 7-6 (7-5), 6-1

5. Luciana Di Laura (LA) def. Lilit Vardanyan (APU) 4-6, 6-0, 6-3

6. Jackie Resler (APU) def. Isabella Lopez (LA) 3-6, 6-2, 6-1

Doubles competition

1. #17 Natalie Johnson/Lisa Schneider (APU) def. #10 Nozomi Matsuoka/Kayleigh Hall (LA) 9-7

2. Valeriia Kashina/Jackie Resler (APU) def. Iris Raileanu/Isabella Lopez (LA) 8-4

3. Lilit Vardanyan/Kara Hinton (APU) def. Elizaveta Sokolova/Luciana Di Laura (LA) 8-6

Match Notes

Cal State LA 5-2; National ranking #24; Regional ranking #6

Azusa Pacific University 2-2; National ranking #23; Regional ranking #5

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