Box Score BEAVERTON, Ore. - The Portland State women's tennis team opened the 2023 season with a gritty 4-3 victory over UC Davis at the Tualatin Hills Tennis Center on Saturday.
It's the first season-opening win for the Vikings since 2003 as they begin the season 1-0. The Aggies fell to 0-1. 

"The first match is always going to be a mixed bag, but all of our courts had great attitude and effort," Viking head coach Kyle Russell said. "The Aggies are a well-coached team and it could've gone either way. Special shoutout to Capu and Makoto who gritted out two really tight matches."

The Vikings had a dominant doubles performance to open the year, sweeping the Aggies with a trio of wins to take the opening point. 

Needing four singles wins to take the match, UC Davis kept themselves alive with victories at the one, two and five positions, but it was wins from Capu Sanoner, Nell Arendt and Makoto Ohara that clinched the victory for the Vikings. Arendt earned her first singles win as a Viking at the No. 4 spot with a 6-4, 6-1 win over Kristina Evloeva. Sanoner pulled off a 6-1, 7-6 (7) win over Olive Maunupau at No. 3 before Ohara clinched the match with a thrilling 7-5, 7-6 (7) victory over Michelle Zell at the six spot. 

"I'm happy that I clinched our first home match," Ohara said. "Everyone was ready to fight for a win and our supporters helped bring out our full potential. It was great to start the spring season with such amazing teammates. I'm so excited for upcoming matches."

PSU will return to action at Oregon on Friday, Jan. 20.