Box Score CHICAGO, Ill. – The Tigers' trip to Illinois started with an exciting battle at the University of Illinois Chicago, where the Tigers came out victorious with a 4-3 win. This puts the Tigers in their best starting record in almost two decades.

The Flames won the doubles point after Agnes Gustafsson and Ana Jover defeated Klara Kosan and Danielle Zamora in first doubles 6-4 and Tamara Malazonia and Lea Forste-Dinell beat Zoe Clydesdale-Eberle and MiaAngelina Ruja 6-3 in third doubles.

Down 1-0, the Tigers knew they had to play tough to win the singles matches. In third singles, Ana Jover beat Zoe Clydesdale-Eberle 6-1, 6-2. Down 2-0 was a new place for the Tigers so far this Spring season. The next game to finish was second singles, where MiaAngelina Ruja defeated Tamara Malazonia 6-2, 6-1.

"Throughout my match, my back was tight, but I kept telling myself to hang in there for the team," said Ruja. "Having the energy and support of all my teammates pushed me through."

Now down 2-1, the Tigers continued to fight. Cindy Ung defeated Lea Forste-Dinell 6-2, 6-4, in sixth singles, tying the match score 2-2. In first singles, Gustafsson beat Kosan 4-6, 6-1, 6-4, giving the 3-2 lead to the Flames.

In fifth singles, Megan Carmichael beat Dominika Hrabalova 6-4, 6-4, tying the match at 3-3.

"At three-all, the rest of the courts became quiet, and I could see my teammates gathering," said Danielle Zamora. "While the match had its ups and downs, I felt energized by our preparation, work, and constant support. I fought hard today and clinched for the team."

Clinched, she did. Zamora defeated Marina Hermanny in fourth singles, 6-7 (6-8), 6-2, 7-6 (7-1). Zamora was down 5-4 in the third set and fought back. The game went to a third-set tiebreaker to decide the whole match. Zamora won the tiebreak 7-1 to clinch the match.

"It was a great win for the team today," said Head Coach Mike Erwin. "It's a good sign for our program that we're getting wins at different places in the lineup when we need them. With the match tied three-all, Danielle Zamora fought back to force a third set tie break where she dominated, winning it 7-1 to get us the win."

The Tigers take on the Huskies of Northern Illinois University on Saturday, Feb. 19 at 7 a.m. PT/9 a.m. CT. The game will have live scoring here: https://ioncourt.com/ties/62100f23ba7e4c5b7560e571.

Pacific 4, UIC 3

Singles competition
1. Agnes Gustafsson (UIC) def. Klara Kosan (PAC) 4-6, 6-1, 6-4
2. Miaangelina Ruja (PAC) def. Tamara Malazonia (UIC) 6-2, 6-1 
3. Ana Jover (UIC) def. Zoe Clydesdale-Eberle (PAC) 6-1, 6-2 
4. Danielle Zamora (PAC) def. Marina Hermanny (UIC) 6-7 (6-8), 6-2, 7-6 (7-1) 
5. Megan Carmichael (PAC) def. Dominika Hrabalova (UIC) 6-4, 6-4 
6. Cindy Ung (PAC) def. Lea Forste-Dinell (UIC) 6-2, 6-4 

Doubles competition
1. Agnes Gustafsson/Ana Jover (UIC) def. Klara Kosan/Danielle Zamora (PAC) 6-4 
2. Dominika Hrabalova/Marina Hermanny (UIC) vs. Cindy Ung/Alexis Sam (PAC) 3-5, unfinished 
3. Tamara Malazonia/Lea Forste-Dinell (UIC) def. Zoe Clydesdale-Eberle/MiaAngelina Ruja (PAC) 6-3

Records: Pacific 4-0 UIC 4-2
Order of finish: Doubles (1,3); Singles (3,2,6,1,5,4)