Feb. 11, 2010

LOS ANGELES, Calif. - Lions struggle against the UC Irvine anteaters getting shut out in singles. In doubles the Lions were highlighted by win from Melissa Valenzuela and Elisaveta Pironkova.

In doubles play the women struggled to stop UC Irvine, however in a battle on court two, Melissa Valenzuela and Elisaveta Pironkova came out with a doubles win for the Lions. The duo defeated Hannah Holladay and Becka Kwan of UC Irvine 7-8 coming back from being down and rallying for the Lion's only victory against the Irvine anteaters. On court one and three the racquet ladies struggled to get past UC Irvine, Heckel/Nixon were defeated 8-1 while Pringle/Bulkley also fell 8-1.

In singles play the Lions were shut out by Irvine. Number one singles player Jasmin Heckel did not play singles due to illness shifting the Lion's line up. Elisaveta Pironkova faced UC Irvine's Stephanie Hammel going 6-2, 6-3; Jane Pringle had a close one against Byron 6-3, 6-7. Estelle LaPorte ended her two game winning-streak against Barlet of Irvine 6-1, 6-1. On court four Melissa Venezuela went 6-1, 6-4 to Kwan, Bliss Nixon went 6-1, 6-0 while Audrey Bulkley was defeated 6-3, 6-4.

Next up, the Lions are looking to bounce back against Cal Poly San Luis Obispo this Sunday at 11:00 am at the LMU Tennis Center.