On Sunday, the Cal State LA women’s tennis kept it close, but Academy of Art was too strong. Cal State LA stands at No. 8 in the region after losing 6-1 on Sunday, they fell to 3-2 overall. Academy of Art is the No. 1 team in the region and improved to 3-0.

Cal State LA took three of the six singles into a deciding set and two of the three doubles into tiebreaks. The lone win would come in singles 4 by senior Isabella Lopez in straight sets winning 7-5.

“In singles, for sure this would be one of my better matches for sure this season,”
said Lopez.

Lopez battled hard throughout the match, finally earning a match point at 6-5 deuce. She would be on the defense for most of the rally until Academy of Arts’ Sofia Ragona netted a backhand into the net.

“I was telling myself to keep it together, keep calm and make one more ball than my opponent and that’s what I did.” said Lopez.

Doubles teams Lopez and Luciana Di Laura fell 2-6; Amanda Schneider and Chelsey Ruiz came up short 6-7(3-7); Berta Acero Garcia and Mariko Sagara lost 5-7.

“They’re very disciplined, you have to beat them. They’re not going to beat themselves. Our girls did a fantastic job,” said Coach Sandy Kriezel.

In other singles play, No.3 Acero Garcia, No. 5 Ruiz and No. 5 Sagara would all lose in three sets. No. 2 Di Laura fell in straight sets 2-6, 3-6 and No. 1 Schneider lost 4-6, 3-6.

The Golden Eagles return to action on Wednesday, Feb. 27 for another home match against the Concordia-Irvine Eagles.