2024-25 Cal State LA Women's Tennis - Season Summary

LOS ANGELES -- Cal State LA's women's tennis team battled to the end of a tough 2024-25 season with the hope that a strong finish and some better health will help the team to more successful days in the future.

The Golden Eagles finished with a 3-13 record, matching the win total from the previous season. Cal State LA struggled with injuries and illness through much of the season, but the Golden Eagles never wavered in their desire and willingness to compete.

While the win-loss totals weren't what the Golden Eagles were looking for, they had to be encouraged by the way the team was able to finish the season on a high note. Cal State LA won two of its final three matches, including a come-from-behind 4-3 win over Westmont on Senior Day that proved to be one of the most exciting finishes in recent years.

Fittingly, the match came down to the final two singles contests remaining on the court and both involved Cal State LA seniors. The Golden Eagles trailed Westmont, 3-2, but Lea Rolland evened the match with a 7-6 (9-7), 2-6, 6-1 win at No. 5 singles. That victory set the stage for Courtlyn Lam, who was playing in front of family and locked in a compelling battle that ultimately decided the contest. Lam, after splitting the first two sets, jumped out to a 4-1 lead in the final set, saw the advantage cut to 4-3, and then brilliantly served out the match for a 6-3, 4-6, 6-4 win at No. 6 singles. The victory prompted a joyous celebration and was a tremendous way to cap off Senior Day.

Even better, all three seniors honored on Senior Day figured into the victory. Sarah Olmos, who completed her outstanding four-year career in 2024-25, teamed with Hideka Takamura for a win at No. 1 doubles to help secure the doubles point. Cal State LA's top two newcomers, Maldini Simic and Sofia Pavlova, also won at No. 2 doubles to give the Golden Eagles the much-needed doubles point.

Pavlova also claimed the other singles point for the Golden Eagles with a win at the No. 1 position, 6-3, 6-1.

Cal State LA picked up its first victory - in its second match of the season - with a full lineup in a 7-0 win over Jessup. Pavlova and Simic won in straight sets at the No. 1 and 2 positions and returners Olmos, Takamura, Rolland and Lam completed the win with singles victories. Rolland had the match of the day, prevailing in a third-set super tiebreaker, 4-6, 6-2, 10-2.

That full lineup didn't last, however, and the Golden Eagles were hit with a series of rain postponements, illnesses and injuries. The Golden Eagles dropped their next 11 matches before the exciting win over Westmont that gave Cal State LA the season split with the Warriors.

Cal State LA made it two wins in a row with a 4-0 win over Hope International that was halted after the Golden Eagles wrapped up the fourth point. Pavlova and Simic at No. 2 doubles and Rolland and Lam at No. 3 doubles gave the Golden Eagles the doubles point and Pavlova, Rolland and Lam were the singles matches completed when the fourth point was earned. Olmos, Takamura and Charlotte Downs had leads when the match was halted.

Cal State LA then dropped a 4-0 decision at home to Azusa Pacific to conclude the season.

While the Golden Eagles bid farewell to Olmos, Rolland and Lam, they have bright hopes for the future with several players returning.

Pavlova and Simic are two highly-regarded transfers who fought through illness and injury in their first seasons with the program. Pavlova, a top player from Academy of Art and Simic, the top player from Hope International, immediately earned spots at the top of the lineup. Pavlova was 4-4 at No. 1 singles, while Simic was a perfect 4-0 in the four matches she played at No. 1 singles. Simic led the team with a 6-2 record in dual matches and ended the season ranked No. 14 in the West Region in singles.

Olmos finished her Cal State LA career with five more singles wins and five more doubles victories, while Takamura shared the team lead with Pavlova for doubles wins with six and added a pair of singles victories.

Rolland had three singles victories, including two after returning from injury, and another doubles win, while Lam had five singles victories and three doubles wins to finish her career.

Cal State LA also got promising contributions from sophomore Summer Roybal and freshman Charlotte Downs, who both got valuable experience in 2024-25.

Cal State LA also excelled academically once again with several players expected to earn All-Pac West and ITA academic honors when they are announced later this summer.

Lam, Olmos, Takamura earned All-District honors from the College Sports Communicators, previously known as CoSIDA. Olmos earned the honor for the third time, Takamura earned it for a second time and Lam earned it for the first time.

Cal State LA Women's Tennis
2025 Overall Record: 3-13 
Final National Ranking: NA
Final ITA West Region Ranking: NA
Final ITA West Region Singles Ranking: Maldini Simic (14)
Final PacWest Conference Ranking: 15
PacWest 2024-25 All-Academic Team: Charlotte Downs, Courtlyn Lam, Sarah Olmos, Lea Rolland, Summer Roybal, Maldini Simic, Hideka Takamura
CSC Academic All-District: Courtlyn Lam, Sarah Olmos, Hideka Takamura
2024-25 D2 ADA Academic Achievement Award: Courtlyn Lam, Sarah Olmos, Leea Rolland, Summer Roybal, Hideka Takamura