LA JOLLA, Calif. – A 7-6 6-1 victory by sophomore Sofia Lazzaroni and three-set win by junior Hanh Pham in singles could not hold off host UC San Diego from winning Wednesday's meeting between the Highlanders and Tritons, 5-2, on Northview Tennis Courts.
 
Before UC Riverside could notch its first point of the afternoon on the strength of Lazzaroni's straight-set win over Shweta Kumar, the Highlanders fell behind on three doubles losses that began their Wednesday in La Jolla. Natalie Shamma and Mahli Silpachai lost to Rachel Wagner and Anu Bhadada, 3-6, followed by consecutive 5-7 defeats of Lazzaroni and Serina Saltzen to Kumar and Monica Stratakos, and Tia Elpusan and Pham to Sophie Pearson and Ella Pachl.
 
In singles, Lazzaroni crusied through her second set after a tough first frame against Stratakos, while Pham battled back from a 5-7 loss in the middle set to win her marathon match on Court 4 against Bhadada, 6-1 5-7 6-3. Unfortunately, both singles victories came after the Tritons had clinched Wednesday's clash, as Silpachi was defeated on Court 2 by Pachl, 2-6 0-6, Sydney Tran lost to Stratakos, 4-6 2-6, Elpusan lost a close straight-setter to Pearson, 6-7 4-6, and Shamma was bested by Wagner in three sets, 2-6 6-4 1-6.
 
Head coach Mark Henry and the Highlanders return home to SRC Tennis Courts, where they will host Cal State Northridge in a Big West meeting Saturday starting at 12 p.m. PT.