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For the second time in as many matches, LMU women's tennis (0-2) had a match come down to a final court to decide a match winner, and once again the Lions came up on the short end, 4-3. This time it was Julia Norlin at the center of attention while playing on court six, as the Lions dropped the match to Cal State Fullerton (4-1) on Saturday from the LMU Tennis Center.

The Titans won the doubles point by way of victories on courts one and three, taking an early 1-0 lead in the match score headed into singles play.

Just as they did against Cal State Northridge to start the 2016 season, LMU impressed in singles play to stay in the match. Now trailing 2-0 following a setback on court three, LMU got its first point from freshman Tatijana Sheikhan at #5 singles. Sheikhan defeated Masako Makiba, 6-1, 6-3, but Alexis Valenzuela topped LMU's top singles player, Jessica Perez, 7-5, 6-1, to push Fullerton within a point of victory.

The Lions got tough from there, with freshman Elvira Juravliova defeating Karla Portalatin to keep the Lions alive. The native of Moldova posted the victory by scores of 6-3, 6-3 to run the tally to 3-2. Kristine Kouyoumjian was next off the court for the Lions, taking home a hard-fought 6-4, 7-5 victory over Camille De Leon on court two to draw the match even and turn everyone's attention to Norlin and court six.

Norlin had already dropped the first set, 6-2, but rallied nicely in the second to force a third and decisive set by way of a 6-2 victory of her own. Now playing late in the third, Norlin could not take down Danielle Pham for the victory, with Pham eventually earning the 6-4 decision to secure the match.

The Lions will have a short turnaround, returning to action tomorrow when they host Sacramento State at Noon from the LMU Tennis Center.

Cal State Fullerton vs LMU (Feb 06, 2016)
Cal State Fullerton 4, LMU 3
Feb 06, 2016 at Los Angeles, Calif. (LMU Tennis Center)

Singles competition
1. Alexis Valenzuela (CSF) def. Jessica Perez (LMU) 7-5, 6-1
2. Kristine Kouyoumjian (LMU) def. Camille De Leon (CSF) 6-4, 7-5
3. Sarah Nuno (CSF) def. Andrea Crespo (LMU) 6-0, 6-4
4. Elvira Juravliova (LMU) def. Karla Portalatin (CSF) 6-3, 6-3
5. Tatijana Sheikhan (LMU) def. Masako Makiba (CSF) 6-1, 6-3
6. Danielle Pham (CSF) def. Julia Norlin (LMU) 6-2, 2-6, 6-4

Doubles competition
1. Alexis Valenzuela/Camille De Leon (CSF) def. Jessica Perez/Elvira Juravliova (LMU) 6-4
2. Andrea Crespo/Julia Norlin (LMU) vs. Masako Makiba/Karla Portalatin (CSF) 5-4, unfinished
3. Sarah Nuno/Danielle Pham (CSF) def. Anna Romeka/Tatijana Sheikhan (LMU) 6-3

Match Notes
Cal State Fullerton 4-1
LMU 0-2
Order of finish: Doubles (3,1); Singles (3,5,1,4,2,6)