Thursday, 03/08/2012

TUCSON, Ariz. – Sophomore Ane McPike (above) prevailed during her singles match and both junior Alexa Lee and sophomore Kathryn Webb produced set victories on Saturday afternoon, but the 50th-ranked Cal Poly women's tennis program dropped a 6-1 decision against No. 33 Arizona at the Robson Tennis Center.

Cal Poly (4-3) opened the match by conceding the doubles point for just the second time in seven spring contests. At No. 1, Lee and senior Jocelyn Davis fell against Arizona's Lacey Smyth and Natasha Marks before the Wildcats claimed the doubles point at No. 2 as Kim Stubbe and Susan McRann topped the Mustang duo of sophomore Kathryn Webb and McPike, 8-1.

In singles action, Lee battled Smyth at No. 1 before eventually falling, 7-5, 2-6, 10-5. Davis suffered a 6-2, 6-1 setback at No. 2 against Marks before Mustang sophomore Gabby Gatewood dropped a 6-0, 6-3 decision at No. 3 versus Stubbe. Webb returned at No. 4 with a 7-6 (4), 5-7, 13-11 loss against McRann. McPike, however, claimed Cal Poly's lone victory on Saturday with a 6-2, 6-4 triumph against Arizona's Debora Castany.

Due to injuries, Cal Poly was forced to forfeit matches at No. 6 singles and No. 3 doubles.

"The girls fought hard today; obviously, to only have five players available puts your back against the wall," first-year Cal Poly head coach Damon Coupe said. "We competed hard and I think we showed ourselves a lot. Ane stepped up and was able to pull out a great victory for both her and the team."

Cal Poly completes weekend action when facing North Texas in a neutral-site match at the Robson Tennis Center on Sunday at 9:30 a.m. PT.