The University of Hawaiʻi women’s tennis team began its season with a home match against the 22nd-ranked University of Washington, ultimately falling 5-2 at the UH Tennis Complex on Wednesday. Despite the loss, the Rainbow Wahine secured two singles victories in a competitive opening contest.
In doubles play, Hawaiʻi started strong but could not secure the opening point. The No. 1 pair of Grete Gull and Sophie Rachor lost to Washington’s Erika Matsuda and Carina Syrtveit, who are ranked 67th nationally, by a score of 6-3. At No. 3 doubles, Emma Forgac and Allaire Berl gave Hawaiʻi its first win by defeating Alexia Jacobs and Jermine Sherif 6-4. The deciding doubles match came down to court two, where Makeilah Nepomuceno and Hannah Galindo were edged out by Reece Carter and Marie Weissheim in a close 7-5 finish that gave Washington the doubles point.
Hawaiʻi picked up wins on courts five and six during singles play. On court five, Allaire Berl came from behind after dropping her first set to defeat Carina Syrtveit in a super tie-breaker: 5-7, 6-4, 1-0 (11-9). On court six, Hannah Galindo won in straight sets over Waverly Potter with scores of 7-5 and 6-0.
Washington swept the remaining singles matches in straight sets. Erika Matsuda defeated Grete Gull at No. 1 singles (6-2, 6-2), Reece Carter beat Makeilah Nepomuceno at No. 2 (6-2, 6-3), Jermine Sherif overcame Emma Forgac at No. 3 (6-2, 6-2), and Marie Weissheim bested Sophie Rachor at No. 4 (6-2, 6-1).
The Rainbow Wahine will continue their season with consecutive matches against Sacramento State on January 22 and January 23 at home.
