RIVERSIDE, Calif. - UC Riverside opened its 2021 spring schedule Wednesday at the SRC Tennis Courts with a battle of California schools, falling 1-6 to Azusa Pacific. 

The Highlanders took momentum in doubles with a close 7-6 win, but were unable to carry it into singles. 

"It's not always that I'm positively surprised after a 1-6 loss," Highlanders' head coach Mattias Johansson said, "but I'm impressed by the five guys who could dress up and play today."

UCR's depleted lineup wasn't a cause for wariness, though, as the Highlanders closed out a gutsy 3-6, 6-4, 7-6 win on court four. In all, UC Riverside forced a decisive third set in the final three of its five singles matches. 

"Being the first match of the year and 355 days since the last UCR match," Johansson said, "it's obviously just great to be back playing. I saw a lot of hard fought battles out there today, winning or losing. It was just fun to be a part of. We will take the positives of this match with us on the road to Fresno."