The University of Hawai’i women’s tennis team earned its first victory of the 2026 season with a 4-3 win over Sacramento State on Thursday at the UH Tennis Complex in Honolulu. This result brings both teams to an even 1-1 record for the season.
Sacramento State started strong in doubles, as Palina Saulevich and Catherine Walker defeated Hawai’i’s Emma Forgac and Allaire Berl, 6-2, on court three. However, Hawai’i responded when Makeilah Nepomuceno and Hannah Galindo secured a 6-4 win against Lou Baudouin and Emilija Pranyte on court two. The decisive doubles point was claimed by Grete Gull and Sophie Rachor for Hawai’i, who edged out Camila Maldonaldo Gutierrez and Irene Riva with a 6-4 victory.
In singles play, rookie Grete Gull from Hawai’i recorded her first regular season collegiate win by beating Walker in straight sets, 6-3, 6-2. On court three, Emma Forgac also contributed to the team’s success by defeating Pranyte after winning a tiebreaker in the first set and taking the second set 6-3.
Sacramento State managed to get on the board when Maldonado Gutierrez won against Berl on court five with scores of 6-0, 7-5.
Hannah Galindo clinched the match for Hawai’i on court six by overcoming Saulevich in two sets that included a tiebreaker in the first (7-6 [8-6], 6-3). This marked Galindo’s second consecutive singles win this year.
With the overall match already decided at 4-1 for Hawai’i, Sacramento State rallied to secure wins in three-set matches on courts two and four.
Both teams are scheduled to meet again at the UH Tennis Complex on Friday, January 23 at 4:00 p.m. HT.
Singles results:
1. Grete Gull (UH) def. Reese Walker (SAC) 6-3, 6-2
2. Irene Riva (SAC) def. Makeilah Nepomuceno (UH) 4-6, 6-3, 6-3
3. Emma Forgac (UH) def. Emilija Pranyte (SAC) 7-6 (7-1), 6-3
4. Lou Baudouin (SAC) def. Sophie Rachor (UH) 5-7, 6-3, 6-4
5. Elena Mercioiu (SAC) def. Allaire Berl (UH) 6-0, 7-5
6. Hannah Galindo (UH) def. Palina Saulevich (SAC) 7-6 (8–6), 6–3
Doubles results:
1. Grete Gull/Sophie Rachor (UH) def. Cami Maldonado/Irene Riva (SAC) 6–4
2. Makeilah Nepomuceno/Hannah Galindo (UH) def. Lou Baudouin/Emilija Pranyte (SAC) 6–4
3. Palina Saulevich/Reese Walker (SAC) def. Emma Forgac/Allaire Berl (UH) 6–2
The order of finish was doubles courts three, two then one; followed by singles courts one, five, three, six, two and four.
