The Hornets improve to 5-3, while the Anteaters fall to 5-7 on the year. Both teams elected not to play doubles matches.

Sacramento State was led by its freshman class, with Luba Schifris defeating Inna Agababian in the No. 2 spot, 6-2, 6-1. In the No. 3 spot,  Joyce Martinez Gutierrez earned her second win of the year, defeating UC Irvine’s Bela Mijic, 6-3, 6-2. Sacramento State’s Svetlana Pimenova then defeated Ali Borowicz, 6-2, 6-1, in the No. 6 spot.

Junior Cecilia Helland earned her seventh win of the year, defeating the Anteaters’ Heidi Kaloi, 6-2, 6-0 in the No. 5 spot.

Sacramento State’s Margarita Karnaukhova lost the No. 1 singles match in three sets, falling to UC Irvine’s Becky Bernhard, 4-6, 6-2, 10-6. Hornet freshman Karina Jarlkaganova fell 7-5, 6-0 to the Anteaters’ Ashley Siddall in the No. 4 spot.

The Hornets returns to the court on Sunday for a noon match with conference rival Idaho State, as the team continues the defense of its Big Sky crown.

Sacramento State 4, UC Irvine 2

Singles

1.Becky Bernhard (UCI) def. Margarita Karnaukhova (SAC) 4-6, 6-2, 10-6

2. Luba Schifris (SAC) def. Inna Agababian (UCI) 6-2, 6-1

3. Joyce Martinez Gutierrez (SAC) def. Bela Mijic (UCI) 6-3, 6-2

4. Ashley Siddall (UCI) def. Karina Jarlkaganova (SAC) 7-5, 6-0

5. Cecilia Helland (SAC) def. Heidi Kaloi (UCI) 6-2, 6-0

6. Svetlana Pimenova (SAC) def. Ali Borowicz (UCI) 6-2, 6-1