IRVINE, Calif. – Portland women's tennis pushed the UC Irvine Anteaters to the end, but came up short in a 4-3 decision Friday at the UC Irvine Tennis Courts.

Portland got behind early after dropping a competitive doubles point. The Pilot No. 2 tandem of Dariya Radulova and Lexie Flores were 6-4 winners, but UC Irvine won the other two doubles matches to secure the opening point.

Singles was a battle with half of the six matches going three sets. The Anteaters quickly raced out to a 3-0 lead with straight set victories at the No. 4 and No. 5 positions. Nadine Arbaizer Martinez began Portland's comeback with a 6-3, 6-3 win at No. 3 over Carolyna Fowler.

Alaia Rubio Perez then knocked off Yen Nhi Huynh at the top of the lineup 3-6, 6-2, 6-4 and Radulova followed with a 6-1, 1-6, 6-2 defeat of Amanda Perez at the No. 2 position to tie the match.

Maily Huynh outlasted Meagan Pearson in a three-set battle at the No. 6 position to clinch the match for the host side.

Portland will remain in Southern California for two more matches this weekend. The Pilots will play TCU in a neutral site match in Santa Barbara on Saturday at 3:30 p.m. and then conclude the trip at UC Riverside on Sunday at noon.

UC Irvine 4, Portland 3
Irvine, Calif. (UC Irvine Tennis Courts)
February 20, 2026

Singles
1. Alaia Rubio Perez (POR) def. Yen Nhi Huynh (UCI) 3-6, 6-2, 6-4
2. Dariya Radulova (POR) def. Amanda Perez (UCI) 6-1, 1-6, 6-2
3. Nadine Arbaizar Martinez (POR) def. Carolyna Fowler (UCI) 6-3, 6-3
4. Haily Huynh (UCI) def. Maria Galatescu (POR) 6-2, 6-1
5. Bella Pitchford (UCI) def. Lexie Flores (POR) 6-3, 6-2
6. Maily Huynh (UCI) def. Meagan Pearson (POR) 6-7, 6-2, 6-3

Doubles
1. Fowler/Perez (UCI) def. Rubio Perez/Galatescu (POR) 6-3
2. Radulova/Flores (POR) def. Huynh/Huynh (UCI) 6-4
3. Pitchford/Quin Brady (UCI) def. Arbaizar Martinez/Pearson (POR) 6-2

Match Notes:
Portland 1-4
UC Irvine 3-4
Order of Finish: Doubles (1,3,2); Singles (4,5,3,1,2,6)
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