Box Score

The LMU women's tennis team (0-1) battled CSU Northridge (1-2) tough on Saturday afternoon to open the spring tennis season, with the match coming down to a final decision on court five during singles play, but the Matadors defended their home court by way of a hard-fought 4-3 victory.

After dropping the doubles point, LMU proved deep in singles play, winning on courts two, three and four, while junior Jessica Perez forced a tiebreaker in both sets before ultimately falling 7-6 (4), 7-6 (5) at the top of the order.

Playing at #3 singles, Andrea Crespo topped Ki Kim in straight sets, 6-4, 6-0, to even the match score at 1-1 before freshman Elvira Juravliova, who joined the Lions at semester, dispatched Skyla Alcon in straight sets, 6-2, 6-3 to hand LMU the 2-1 lead.

LMU's strong singles play continued moments later when Kristine Kouyoumjian, who played at #2 singles, recorded the victory over Vivian Lin, 6-4, 6-4, to push LMU to within a point of victory at 3-1.

Unfortunately, the Matadors dug their heels in and picked up the victory on court 6 as Mari Taslagyan topped Anna Romeka, 6-4, 7-5 to cut the deficit to one at 3-2. After Mickey Hsu outlasted Perez on the top court to even the match at 3-3, all eyes turned to court five where Tatijana Sheikhan and Kristen Poei were busy playing in the third and decisive set for the match. Poei took the opener, 7-5, but the Lion freshman kept the match alive with a 7-6 (3) victory in the second. With everything riding on the third, Poei came out strong and never looked back, claiming the 6-1 victory and the match for the Matadors.

LMU will return to action on February 6 when it hosts Cal State Fullerton at 10 a.m. in the Lions' home-opener from the LMU Tennis Center.