DAVIS, Calif. – The Portland State women's tennis team dropped its first of two matches this week in California, falling 4-3 to UC Davis at the Marya Welch Tennis Center.
 
The Vikings, who will travel to Sacramento State on Saturday to close out the regular season, dropped to 6-9 overall. The Aggies improved to 10-12 on the season.
 
Portland State secured the opening point for the third consecutive match on Thursday, claiming victories at No. 2 and 3 doubles after dropping the first match at line one. Momoko Yoshimura and Nika Beukers improved to 9-1 on the season with a dominant 6-2 win over Olive and Daisy Maunupau at line two. Elizabeth Strongina and Makoto Ohara sealed the doubles point on court three, clawing their way to a 7-5 victory over Carly Schwartzberg and Michelle Zell.
 
UC Davis had a strong response in singles play, posting straight-set wins at lines six, two and five. Yoshimura, however, swung momentum back in the Vikings' favor with her seventh singles win of the year on court three, defeating Kaia Wolfe 6-4, 6-3. Strongina leveled the score at three for PSU, clinching victory due to her opponent's retirement on the top court. The Aggies ultimately sealed the dual with a gritty win at No. 4 singles. Ohara, after dropping the opening set, rallied to take the second set 6-2, but Michelle Zell emerged victorious in the decider to clinch the match.
 
The Vikings will head to Sacramento Saturday for a pivotal regular-season finale. The match is a must-win for the Vikings as they look to secure a spot in the Big Sky Tournament next week with a win over the Hornets. The match is scheduled for 11 a.m at the Sac State Tennis Courts.