SANTA BARBARA, Calif. – The UC Santa Barbara Women's Tennis team claimed a gritty home victory Sunday afternoon, defeating the University of Utah 4-3.

THE MATCH
Final: UC Santa Barbara 4, Utah 3
Records: UC Santa Barbara (1-1), Utah (0-1)

HOW IT HAPPENED
The Gauchos took an early lead by securing the doubles point with decisive wins at the lower courts. At No. 3 doubles, Shachf Liebermann and Ekua Youri dominated from the start, rolling to a 6-0 victory over Kamea Medora and Hayley Roberts. Isabella Wong and My-Anh Holmes followed shortly after at No. 2 doubles, earning a 6-2 win over Emmie Moore and Sara Akid to clinch the doubles point. Utah picked up its lone doubles win at No. 1, where Emma Kamper and Emma Valletta defeated Emma Tutoveanu and Lily Pradkin 6-3.

Transitioning from singles play, the Blue and Gold continued their momentum as Isabella Wong at the No. 2 position extended the Gauchos' lead with a composed straight-sets victory over Emmie Moore, 6-4, 6-3. Utah responded at No. 3, as Kaila Barksdale edged Emma Tutoveanu 7-5, 6-4.

At No. 6, My-Anh Holmes gave UC Santa Barbara another point, rebounding after dropping the first set to defeat Hayley Roberts 3-6, 6-1, 6-2. Holmes found her footing quickly in the second set, controlling play and allowing just one game before carrying that momentum into a decisive third. Utah countered at No. 5, where Emma Valletta outlasted Lily Pradkin in a back-and-forth three-set battle. 

The decisive point came at the top of the lineup, where Ekua Youri delivered a resilient performance for the Gauchos. After dropping the opening set, Youri worked her way back to edge out Emma Kamper 7-5 in the second before pulling away in the third. Her 3-6, 7-5, 6-3 comeback victory at No. 1 singles sealed the match for UC Santa Barbara.

The final match to conclude was at No. 4, where Sara Akid rallied past Raphaelle Leroux 2-6, 6-3, 6-3. Behind a strong doubles showing and key singles performances across the lineup, UC Santa Barbara closed out the 4-3 home victory.

RESULTS
Doubles
1. Emma Kamper/Emma Valletta (UTAH) def. Emma Tutoveanu/Lily Pradkin (UCSB) 6-3
2. Isabella Wong/My-Anh Holmes (UCSB) def. Emmie Moore/Sara Akid (UTAH) 6-2
3. Shachf Liebermann/Ekua Youri (UCSB) def. Kamea Medora/Hayley Roberts (UTAH) 6-0

Order of finish: 3, 2, 1

Singles
1. Ekua Youri (UCSB) def. Emma Kamper (UTAH) 3-6, 7-5, 6-3
2. Isabella Wong (UCSB) def. Emmie Moore (UTAH) 6-4, 6-3
3. Kaila Barksdale (UTAH) def. Emma Tutoveanu (UCSB-W) 7-5, 6-4
4. Sara Akid (UTAH) def. Raphaelle Leroux (UCSB) 2-6, 6-3, 6-3
5. Emma Valletta (UTAH) def. Lily Pradkin (UCSB) 6-4, 3-6, 6-3
6. My-Anh Holmes (UCSB) def. Hayley Roberts (UTAH) 3-6, 6-1, 6-2

Order of finish: 2, 3, 6, 1, 5, 4

UP NEXT
UC Santa Barbara opens ITA Kickoff Weekend against Georgia Tech in Columbus, Ohio, on Jan. 24 at 10 a.m.