LA JOLLA, Calif. – For the fourth time in five matches UC San Diego women's tennis came out on top. On Wednesday morning, the Tritons topped visiting Eastern Michigan, 5-2, at Northview Tennis Courts. UC San Diego's win snapped a three-match win streak for the Eagles.
 
INSIDE THE MATCHUP
Final: UC San Diego 5, Eastern Michigan 2
Records: UC San Diego 5-5; Eastern Michigan 5-5
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
UC San Diego got off on the right track Wednesday, capturing the doubles point with 6-3 wins at No. 2 and No. 1. Moving up a spot in the lineup to the second position, the tandem of Grace Gamal and Katelyn Vu got the action started with their win. Shortly thereafter, the Tritons clinched the doubles point with a same-score victory at No. 1 by Julia Haynes and Naomi Nguyen.
 
UC San Diego took a 2-0 lead in the match when senior Kelly Leung was a 6-2, 6-2 winner on court two. Playing at No. 3 singles for just the second time, freshman Allison Lian was also a 6-2, 6-2 winner – putting the Tritons on top by a commanding 3-0 score in the match. Grad student Julia Haynes clinched UC San Diego's win by closing out a 6-3, 6-0 victory at No. 1.
 
Playing in her first spring match as a Triton, freshman Athena Wardy had a strong showing. She persevered for a 7-5 win in her first set and then pulled away for a 6-2 win in the second set at sixth singles.
 
TENNIS MATCH RESULTS
San Diego vs. Eastern Michigan
Feb. 26, 2025 at La Jolla, Calif.
(Northview Tennis Courts)
 
UC San Diego 5, Eastern Michigan 2
 
Singles competition
1. Julia Haynes (UCSD) def. Daniella Shved (EMU), 6-3, 6-0
2. Kelly Leung (UCSD) def. Viki Hazmukova (EMU), 6-2, 6-2
3. Allison Lian (UCSD) def. Prerna Vichare (EMU) 6-2, 6-2
4. Sabina Brichackova (EMU) def. Grace Gamal (UCSD), 6-2, 6-3
5. Marta Komar (EMU) def. Katelyn Vu (UCSD), 6-4, 4-6, 6-3
6. Athena Wardy (UCSD) def. Regina Mendez (EMU), 7-5, 6-2
 
Doubles competition
1. Julia Haynes/Naomi Nguyen (UCSD) def. Sabina Brichackova/Prerna VIchare (EMU), 6-3
2. Grace Gamal/Katelyn Vu (UCSD) def. Marta Komar/Viki Hazmukova (EMU), 6-3
3. Lara Diaz Zayas/Daniella Shved (EMU) def. Kelly Leung/Allison Lian (UCSD), 7-5
 
Match Notes:
Order of finish: Doubles (2,1,3); Singles (2,3,1,4,6,5)
 
QUOTABLE
"I'm really pleased with how we bounced back at home today," said UC San Diego head coach Sebastian Bader. "Especially since we had a starter out [Adriana Tabares], it was great to see Athena [Wardy] step up and contribute and I was impressed with the way Kelly Leung rebounded after a tough loss Sunday. We're excited to go compete this weekend in Hawai'i."
 
TRITON TIDBITS

• Playing in her first collegiate match, freshman Athena Wardy secured her first collegiate victory on court six.
• Competing at No. 1, Naomi Nguyen earned her 36th doubles win as a Triton – more than anyone else in the program's Division I era.
• UC San Diego improved to 5-1 at home with Wednesday's triumph.
• Kelly Leung competed at No. 2 singles for the fourth consecutive match.
• The weather was partly cloudy and 61 degrees at first serve.

 
UP NEXT
UC San Diego heads west for a pair of matches on O'ahu. The Tritons will take on Hawai'i Pacific on Friday before visiting Hawai'i for a Big West match on Saturday. Both matches are slated to begin at 1 p.m. PT (11 a.m. local in Hawai'i).
 
About UC San Diego Athletics
After two decades as one of the most successful programs in NCAA Division II, the UC San Diego intercollegiate athletics program began a new era in 2020 as a member of The Big West in NCAA Division I. The 23-sport Tritons earned 30 team and nearly 150 individual national championships during its time in Divisions II and III and helped guide 1,400 scholar-athletes to All-America honors. A total of 83 Tritons have earned Academic All-America honors, while 38 have earned prestigious NCAA Post Graduate Scholarships. UC San Diego scholar-athletes exemplify the academic ideals of one of the world's preeminent institutions, graduating at an average rate of 90 percent, the highest rate among public institutions in Divisions I and II.