LA JOLLA, Calif. ? The UC San Diego women's tennis team began its CCAA title defense with a convincing 6-3 victory over visiting Cal State L.A. on Saturday afternoon at the Northview Tennis Courts. With the victory the Tritons improve to 1-2 overall and 1-0 in CCAA play while dropping the Golden Eagles to 0-2 overall and 0-1 in conference action.

The Tritons jumped out to an early 2-1 lead after doubles play as Marsha Malinow teamed with Ina Dan for an 8-6 win at the top spot while Justine Ang Fonte and Christy Knudsen paired up for an 8-3 win at the No. 2 doubles spot on the ladder.

UCSD then captured four of the six singles matches for the victory. Malinow, Fonte, Pooja Desai and Allison Legakis all claimed singles victories in the win.

Head coach Liz LaPlante leads her team back into action on Tuesday, hosting Point Loma Nazarene at 2 p.m. The Tritons will then host a pair of CCAA contests next weekend, welcoming in Sonoma State on Friday and Cal Poly Pomona on Saturday.

UC San Diego 6, Cal State L.A. 3

Singles:

1. Marsha Malinow (UCSD) def. Krishana Desilva (CSULA) 6-2, 1-6, 10-8

2. Michelle Madus (CSULA) def. Ina Dan (UCSD) 6-2, 6-1

3. Justine Ang Fonte (UCSD) def. Isis Jackson (CSULA) 6-2, 6-2

4. Pooja Desai (UCSD) def. Jennifer Avila (CSULA) 6-2, 6-2

5. Rona Miller (CSULA) def. Tessa Tran (UCSD) 4-6, 6-2, 10-7

6. Allison Legakis (UCSD) def. Princess Manassah (CSULA) 6-1, 6-1

Doubles:

1. Malinow/Dan (UCSD) def. DeSilva-Maduz (CSULA) 8-6

2. Fonte/Knudsen (UCSD) def. Ducanovich-Miller (CSULA) 8-3

3. Jackson/Avila (CSULA) def. Legakis/Desai (UCSD) 9-7