BEAVERTON, Ore. – Despite dropping the doubles point and playing short-handed in singles, the Portland State women's tennis team rallied to defeat Seattle 4-3 on Friday afternoon at the Tualatin Hills Tennis Center.

The Vikings improved to 4-5 on the year, clinching the program's fifth consecutive win over the Redhawks, who fell to 4-5 overall.

PSU had won the doubles point in four of its last five matches heading into Saturday. However, Seattle dampened that momentum by winning matches at No. 2 and No. 3, securing the doubles point with scores of 6-3 and 6-4 respectively.

In between those Redhawk victories, Capu Sanoner and Scarlett Perkins secured a win for Portland State on court one, defeating Elena Kraleva and Jade Quintana 6-4.

"The team responded after doubles," Viking Head Coach Kyle Russell said after the win. "Everybody just put their head down and went to work in singles. They pulled that match out with focus and grit. I'm very proud."

Playing a man-down in singles, Portland State was forced to forfeit the No. 6 match, putting Seattle just two wins away from clinching. However, the Vikings didn't let that deter them. 

The Vikings won three of five opening sets to shift the momentum but the Redhawks responded with a point on court five. Making her career debut at No. 4, Perkins seamlessly defeated Quintana 6-3, 6-2 to secure PSU's first point of the day.

The final three matches were decided by third sets. After winning the opening set 6-4 on court two, Nika Beukers lost the second 6-1. However, she regained focus and responded with a 6-4 win in the decider to secure the point for Portland State (6-4, 1-6, 6-4).

Meanwhile, Momoko Yoshimura found herself fighting an uphill battle on court three. For the fourth time this season, the fifth-year senior forced a third set after an opening-set loss and once again, she peaked during the critical moments. She completed the comeback convincingly, 5-7, 6-2, 6-2 to tie the dual at three. 

The final point came down to a back-and-forth showdown on court one. Despite Elizabeth Strongina securing the first set, SU's Kraleva managed to fight back. The two exchanged games in the third, leading to a tiebreak. Strongina showed exceptional composure, even when faced with a 5-2 deficit during the tiebreak.

"Today's game was really tough," Strongina said. "I had to put in a lot of effort. But honestly, I couldn't have played as well without my team's support. I might not be loud while I'm playing, but hearing everyone cheering and giving their all really motivates me and the team."  

Quiet and seemingly unphased, the sophomore rattled off five consecutive points to pull off the remarkable comeback, clinching the match for PSU with a 7-5, 2-6, 7-6 (5) victory.

Friday's victory was crucial for the Vikings, who will resume Big Sky action on Sunday against Montana at the Tualatin Hills Tennis Center (11 a.m.).  

Watch: Strongina's final point that clinched the Vikings' 4-3 victory on Friday