EUGENE, Ore. – Portland battled an experienced Oregon team before falling by a 5-2 margin to the Ducks Friday afternoon in the regular season opener for both programs at the Student Tennis Center.

Oregon featured a singles lineup with two seniors and two juniors, while the Pilots do not have a senior on the roster and five true freshmen made their first dual match collegiate appearances this afternoon.

Portland freshmen Lourdes Ramalle and Raphaelle Lebanc posted their first dual wins in impressive debuts. Ramalle defeated Julia Lilien in straight sets at the No. 5 spot, while Leblanc recorded a come-from-behind three-set victory against Daniella Nasser at No. 3 singles. She won 10-7 in the third set super tiebreaker.

Pilot junior Radina Dimitrova won the opening set against Shweta Sangwan at No. 2 singles, but fell in a third set super tiebreaker.

In doubles action, Oregon won comfortably at the No. 1 and No. 3 positions, but Ramalle and fellow freshman Nina Nikitovic were leading 4-3 at No. 2.

Portland will return to the Louisiana Pacific Tennis Center for its home opener on Sunday morning at 10 a.m. against the UC Davis Aggies. Live video and scoring of the match will be available at PortlandPilots.com

Oregon 5, Portland 2
Eugene, Ore. (Student Tennis Center)
January 19, 2018

Singles
1. Alyssa Tobita (UO) def. Jelena Lukic (POR) 6-1, 6-0
2. Shweta Sangwan (UO) def. Radina Dimitrova (POR) 2-6, 6-2, 1-0 (5)
3. Raphaelle Leblanc (POR) def. Daniella Nasser (UO) 3-6, 6-3, 1-0 (7)
4. Rifanty Kahfiani (UO) def. Nina Nikitovic (POR) 6-1, 6-2
5. Lourdes Ramalle (POR) def. Julia Lilien (UO) 6-4, 6-2
6. Paiton Wagner (UO) def. Emily Soares (POR) 6-3, 6-1

Doubles
1. #17 Tobita/Sangwan (UO) def. Lukic/Leblanc (POR) 6-2
2. Nikitovic/Ramalle (POR) vs. Nasser/Rose (UO) 4-3 unfinished
3. Kahfiani/Wagner (UO) def. Soares/Laura Okazaki (POR) 6-1

Order of Finish: Singles (1,4,6,5,2) Doubles (3,1)