Donna McCullough to Join UC Riverside Women's Tennis

(May 17, 2006) - Donna McCullough, a native of Fremont, Calif., has signed a national letter of intent to play women's tennis at UC Riverside, Head Coach Mark Henry announced.

McCullough has been ranked in the Top-15 in the USTA/NorCal Section, winning five tournaments last summer. An outstanding student-athlete who features an aggressive baseline style on the court, McCullough is expected to make an impact on the Highlander line-up as a freshman.

"She will be expected to come to UCR and contribute right away in both the singles and doubles line-up," Henry said. "She will make us a better team on and off the court.".

Highlanders Open Play at Cal State Fullerton

(Oct. 8, 2006) - UC Riverside kicked off the fall season with mixed results at the Cal State Fullerton Fall Intercollegiates competed Friday and Saturday at Fullerton, CA.

In Friday's singles play, sophomore Erynne Oki was the only Highlander to survive the first round. Oki trailed UC Irvine's Jaymie Hu 6-4 but Hu was forced to retire, giving Oki the win. In the second round, Oki gave Cal State Fullerton's Katrina Domela all she could handle before falling 6-4, 4-6, 6-4.

In Friday's doubles play, freshman Hannah Lane and sophomore Alex Khoury registered an 8-2 victory over Fullerton's Breanna Stowell and Kristy Aronstam. They then faced Carol Erickson and Steffi Wong in the second round on Saturday, falling 8-1.

Singles
First Round
Shawnell Russell (LMU) def. Hannah Lane (UCR) 6-3, 3-6, 7-5
Erynne Oki (UCR) def. Jaymie Hu (UCI) 4-6, ret.
Amber Harper (USC) def. Anne Marie Simmonsen (UCR) 6-0, 6-0
Ali Borowicz (UCI) def. H.R. Espiritu (UCR) 7-6, 6-1
Whitney Peterson (USC) def. Alex Khoury (UCR) 7-5, 6-1

Second Round
Katrina Domela (CSUF) def. Erynne Oki (UCR) 6-4, 4-6, 6-4

Doubles
First Round
Devin Peek/Katie Barth (CP/UCI) def. H.R. Espiritu/Anne Marie Simmonsen (UCR) 9-7
Hannah Lane/Alex Khoury (UCR) def. Breanna Stowell/Kristy Aronstam (CSUF) 8-2

Second Round
Carol Erickson/Steffi Wong (CP) def. Lane/Khoury (UCR) 8-1

Highlanders Struggle at ITA Tournament

(Oct. 19, 2006) - The UC Riverside Highlanders struggled in their appearance at the Wilson/ITA West Region Championships, sponsored by the Intercollegiate Tennis Association at the University of San Diego and San Diego State.

Junior H.R. Espiritu and sophomore Eyrnne Oki competed in the tournament, but neither were victorious in the first round. Espirtu fell to USC's Sarah Fansler, 6-0, 6-0, while Oki lost to the tournament's No. 2 seed Bianca Dulgheru of Pepperdine, 6-1, 6-4.

Oki defeated Yuki Hagiwara of SDSU in the preliminary round, 6-1, 6-4

In doubles play, Espiritu and Oki fell to Kitt and Vidov, 8-3.

The duo will play consolation round matches beginning Saturday.

Singles
Preliminary
Erynne Oki (UCR) def. Yuki Hagiwara (SDSU), 6-1, 6-4

First Round
Sarah Fansler (USC) def. H.R. Espiritu (UCR) 6-0, 6-0
No. 2 Bianca Dulgheru (Pepp) def. Erynne Oki (UCR) 6-1, 6-4

Doubles
First Round
Kitt/Vidov (SDSU) def. Espiritu/Oki (UCR) 8-3

Oki Reaches Third Round at Wilson/ITA Tournament

(Oct. 20, 2006) - Sophomore Erynne Oki won both of her matches Friday to reach the third round of the consolation bracked at the Wilson/ITA Western Regional Tennis Championships hosted by San Diego State University in San Diego, CA.

Oki did not drop a set all day as she reached the round of 16. She began the day with a straight-sets 6-2, 6-4 win over Flo Wasko of Hawai’I then turned in a hard-fought 6-4, 6-4 victory of Kanykey Koichumanova of Cal State Northridge.

Junior H.R. Espiritu also competed Friday, winning her opening round match over Cal State Fullerton’s Shelly Injejikian 6-4, 6-1. Espritu then fell to Sabita Maharaj-Walkup of Hawai’I 6-0, 6-0.

Oki will continue her play on Saturday against UNLV’s Claire Smith in the third round of the consolation bracket.

Oki Loses in Third Round at Wilson/ITA Tournament

(Oct. 21, 2006) - Sophomore Erynne Oki fell in her third round consolation bracket match at the Wilson/ITA Western Regional Tennis Championships hosted by San Diego State University in San Diego, CA Saturday.

Oki lost to UNLV's Claire Smith 6-3, 6-0.

Highlanders Have Rough First Day in Irvine

(Oct. 27, 2006) - The UC Riverside Highlanders had a rough day at the UC Irvine Fall Tennis Invitational Friday.

The tournament is being played in a round robin format, with the the teams facing one opponent in singles and a second opponent in doubles. The Highlanders lost all six singles matches to the host Anteaters, and managed a win in doubles play over Northern Arizona, as H.R. Espiritu and Danna McCullough defeated Kate Schurr and Paij Porter of NAU, 8-6.

The tournament, which also features UCSD and Loyola Marymount, continues Saturday and Sunday.

Highlanders Pick Up Key Wins on Day Two at UC Irvine

(Oct. 28, 2006) - The UC Riverside Highlanders rebounded from a rough first day at the UC Irvine Fall Tennis Invitational Friday to post several singles and doubles wins during Saturday's play.

The day started with UCR's doubles teams facing those from hosts UC Irvine. The Highlanders won the first match as Erynne Oki and Danna McCullough posted their second win in as many days, defeating Jessica Broadfoot and Heidi Kaloi 8-6. The teams also split a pair of singles matches with UCR's Anna Higane downing UCI's Katie Barth 8-2. In the other match, UCI's Liege Vieira posted an 8-1 win over UCR's Alex Khoury.

The Highlanders' play in the afternoon was much better as they took five of seven singles matches against Loyola Marymount. Higane and McCollough gained their second victories of the day while Khoury, Hannah Lane, and Anne Marie Simonsen also recorded straight-set wins.

The tournament concludes Sunday with UCR taking on LMU in doubles play and also facing Northern Arizona in singles.

Highlanders Complete Day Three at UC Irvine

(Oct. 29, 2006) - The UC Riverside Highlanders struggled in singles play, but split their doubles matches on the final day or the UC Irvine Fall Tennis Invitational Sunday.

In singles play, Erynne Oki posted the Highlanders lone win in singles play with a 6-1, 6-2 win over Katie Schurr of Northern Arizona. In doubles play, Oki and Donna McCullough teamed up for an 8-2 win over Tamara Tanner and Maria Garcia Planas of LMU, and Catrisha Cabanilla and Anne Marie Simonsen defeated Shawnell Russell and Audra Silman of LMU, 8-2.

UCR Drops Season Opener at #39 San Diego State

(Jan. 20, 2007) - UC Riverside kicked off its spring women’s tennis season with a 7-0 defeat at #39 San Diego State Saturday afternoon. The Highlanders fall to 0-1 on the year.

UCR started strong, winning the #1 doubles match as Erynne Oki and Donna McCullough recorded a 9-8 victory over Holly Bagshaw and Eliska Krausova. The Aztecs took the double point, however, with wins at #2 and #3.

In singles play, Yasaman Sakhakorn had an epic match but lost, 2-6, 7-6, 10-6 to Kathryn Kitts.
The Highlanders return home to host Cal Baptist on Wednesday, January 31.

Doubles:
1. Erynne Oki/Donna McCullough (UCR) def. Holly Bagshaw/Eliska Krausova (SDSU), 9-8.
2. Alesya Vidov/Ozge Atalay (SDSU) def. H.R. Espiritu/Roxanne Plata (UCR), 8-2.
3. Kathryn Kitts/Sisse Nielsen (SDSU) def. Anne Marie Simonsen/Alex Khoury (UCR), 8-4.

Singles:
1. No. 69 Eliska Krausova (SDSU) def. Erynne Oki (UCR), 6-1, 6-3.
2. Alesya Vidov (SDSU) def. H.R. Espiritu (UCR), 6-1, 6-1.
3. Esther Cadua (SDSU) def. Donna McCullough (UCR), 6-3, 6-0.
4. Kathryn Kitts (SDSU) def. Yasaman Sakhakorn (UCR), 2-6, 7-6, 10-6. ^
5. Yuki Hagiwara (SDSU) def. Catrisha Cabanilla (UCR), 6-4, 6-4.
6. Ozge Atalay (SDSU) def. Roxanne Plata (UCR), 6-4, 6-4.

UCR Gets First Win, 5-2 Over Cal Baptist

(Jan. 31, 2007) - The UC Riverside Highlanders posted their first win of the season with a 5-2 victory over crosstown opponent Cal Baptist at the Student Recreation Center Tennis Courts in Riverside Wednesday.

The Highlanders swept the doubles point and took four of the six singles matches, led by No. 1 H.R. Espiritu and No. 2 freshman Donna McCullough.

"H.R. played very well at No. 1 singles today in a long straight set win," Head Coach Mark Henry said. "Donna and Roxanne both did well in their first matches at UCR."

Doubles:
1. Erynne Oki/Donna McCullough (UCR) def. Dunya Wren/Maicela Montanha (CBU), 8-1.
2. H.R. Espiritu/Roxanne Plata (UCR) def. Nawchali DeSilva/Isabela Rodrigues (CBU), 8-2.
3. Anne Marie Simonsen/Alex Khoury (UCR) def. Mallory Bailey/Jenna Miller (CBU), 8-4.

Singles:
1. H.R. Espiritu (UCR) def. Maicela Montanha (CBU), 7-6, 6-4.
2.Donna McCullough (UCR), def. Nawchali DeSilva (CBU), 6-0, 6-0.
3. Isabella Rodrigues (CBU) def. Yasaman Sakhakorn (UCR), 6-2, 6-3.
4. Dunya Wren (CBU) def. Catrisha Cabanilla (UCR), 6-1, 6-1.
5.Roxanne Plata (UCR) def. Jenna Miller (CBU), 6-1, 6-0.
6. Eri Yoshimoto (UCR) def. Mallory Bailey (CBU), 6-0, 4-6, 6-2

UCR Sweeps Cal Poly Pomona

(Feb. 7, 2007) - The UC Riverside Highlanders won their second straight match, sweeping visiting Cal Poly Pomona 7-0 Wednesday afternoon at the Student Recreation Center Tennis Courts in Riverside. With the win, the Highlanders improve to 2-1 on the year.

The Highlanders were strong across the board, dropping only a single set throughout the afternoon. Erynne Oki and Donna McCullough registered an 8-0 win at #1 doubles while UCR took the other two doubles matches by identical 8-5 scores.

Roxanne Plata got the singles slate rolling with a convincing 6-1, 6-0 victory over Kara Fisher at #5 while Yasaman Sakhakorn beat Mallory Brady 6-3, 6-1 at #3. After a 7-6, 6-1 triumph from Oki over Jenny Tsai at the number one spot, McCullough clinched the match with a 6-0, 7-5 win over Renee Paquillo. The Highlanders finished it off with wins by Catrisha Cabanilla and Alex Khoury.

UCR travels to Las Vegas this weekend for three matches. The Highlanders play UNLV at 10 a.m. on Friday and face Utah State at noon on Saturday. The trip concludes Sunday at 10 a.m. against Southern Utah.

UC Riverside 7, Cal Poly Pomona 0

Doubles:
1. Erynne Oki/Donna McCullough (UCR) def. Renee Paquillo/Jenny Tsai (CPP), 8-0
2. H.R. Espiritu/Roxanne Plata (UCR) def. Annika You/Kara Fisher (CPP), 8-5
3. Catrisha Cabanilla/Eri Yoshimoto (UCR) def. Mallory Brady/Erica Lin (CPP), 8-5
UCR wins doubles point

Singles:
1. Erynne Oki (UCR) def. Jenny Tsai (CPP), 7-6, 6-1
2. Donna McCullough (UCR) def. Renee Paquillo (CPP), 6-0, 7-5
3. Yasaman Sakhakorn (UCR) def. Mallory Brady (CPP), 6-3, 6-1
4. Catrisha Cabanilla (UCR) def. Annika You (CPP), 6-3, 6-1
5. Roxanne Plata (UCR) def. Kara Fisher (CPP), 6-1, 6-0
6. Alex Khoury (UCR) def. Kelley Wong (CPP), 6-1, 4-6, 6-3

Highlanders Fall to #40 UNLV, 7-0

(Feb. 9, 2007) - UC Riverside saw its two-match winning streak snapped on Friday, losing 7-0 to 40th-ranked UNLV at the Fertitta Tennis Complex in Las Vegas, NV. The Highlanders fall to 2-2 on the year while the Rebels improve to 4-0.

UNLV began the morning by sweeping three doubles matches for one team point. In singles play, All-American Elena Gantcheva defeated Erynne Oki at the top spot 6-4, 6-3. Kristina Nedeltcheva won 6-2, 6-2 over H.R. Espiritu at No. 2; Claire Smith defeated Donna McCullough 7-6, 6-1 at No. 3; Linda Tempelfelde downed Yasaman Sakhakorn 6-2, 6-2 at No. 4; Alisa Razina posted a 6-1, 6-1 win over Roxanne Plant at No. 5; and Sharon Marin blanked Alexandra Khoury 6-0, 6-0.

UCR remains in Las Vegas to play Utah State at noon on Saturday before closing out the weekend on Sunday at 10 a.m. versus Southern Utah.

DOUBLES:
1. Gantcheva/Nedeltcheva (UNLV) def. Oki/McCullough (UCR) 8-4
2. Razina/Smith (UNLV) def. Espiritu/Plata (UCR) 8-3
3. Mery Contstanti/Tempelfelde (UNLV) def. Eri Yoshimoto/Catrisha Cabanilla (UCR) 8-4

SINGLES:
1. Elena Gantcheva (UNLV) def. Erynne Oki (UCR) 6-4, 6-3
2. Kristina Nedeltcheva (UNLV) def. H.R. Espiritu (UCR) 6-2, 6-2
3. Claire Smith (UNLV) def. Donna McCullough (UCR) 7-6, 6-1
4. Linda Tempelfelde (UNLV) def. Yasaman Sakhakorn (UCR) 6-2, 6-2
5. Alisa Razina (UNLV) def. Roxanne Plata (UCR) 6-1, 6-1
6. Sharon Marin (UNLV) def. Alexandra Khoury (UCR) 6-0, 6-0

Highlanders Defeat Utah State, 5-2

(Feb. 10, 2007) - UC Riverside improved to 3-2 this season with a 5-2 win over former Big West rival Utah State at the Fertitta Tennis Complex in Las Vegas, NV Saturday.

The Highlanders took two of three in doubles to win the point, as Erynne Oki and Donna McCullough posted an 8-3 win at No. 1 and Eri Yoshimoto and Catrisha Cabanilla won 8-2 at No. 3. In singles play, No. 3 McCullough, No. 5 Cabanilla and No. 6 Roxanne Plata posted two-set wins to clinch the match, while H.R. Espiritu went to the supertiebreaker at No. 2 to give the Highlanders the final margin of victory.

UCR closes out the weekend on Sunday at 10 a.m. versus Southern Utah in Las Vegas.

DOUBLES:
1. Oki/McCullough (UCR) def. Monson/Monson (USU) 8-3
2. Harris/Anderson (USU) def. Espiritu/Plata (UCR) 8-5
3. Eri Yoshimoto/Cabanilla (UCR) def. Strickland/Nelson (USU) 8-2

SINGLES:
1. Courtney Anderson (USU) def. Erynne Oki (UCR) 6-4, 6-4
2. H.R. Espiritu (UCR) def. Erin Monson (USU) 6-7, 6-3, 1-0 (10-5)
3. Donna McCullough (UCR) def. Dee-Dee Nelson (USU) 6-2, 6-2
4. Brianna Harris (USU) def. Yasaman Sakhakorn (UCR) 6-1, 6-1
5. Catrisha Cabanilla (UCR) def. Lauren Monson (USU) 6-2, 6-2
6. Roxanne Plata (UCR) def. Bridgette Strickland (USU) 6-4, 6-3

Highlanders Defeat Southern Utah, 7-0

(Feb. 11, 2007) - UC Riverside completed the weekend on a positive note, sweeping Southern Utah 7-0 in a non-conference contest at the Fertitta Tennis Complex in Las Vegas, NV Sunday. UCR took two-of-three matches over the weekend and improve to 4-2 on the young season.

The Highlanders were not really tested in the match as they swept through the singles matches in two sets each. No. 1 Erynne Oki and No. 4 Yasaman Sakhakorn cruised to a 6-0, 6-1 wins while No. 2 H.R. Espiritu nearly matched their efforts with a pair of 6-1 wins.

UCR returns to action on February 17 as they face Long Beach State in Long Beach.

DOUBLES:
1. Oki/McCullough (UCR) def. Kanuha/Docherty (SUU) 8-4
2. Espiritu/Plata (UCR) def. Bulloch/Brooks (SUU) 8-4
3. Blanco/Jenson (SUU) def. Eri Yoshimoto/Cabanilla (UCR) 9-7

SINGLES:
1. Erynne Oki (UCR) def. Lelia Kanuha (SUU) 6-0, 6-1
2. H.R. Espiritu (UCR) def. Carmen Blanco (SUU) 6-1, 6-1
3. Donna McCullough (UCR) def. Deena Jenson (SUU) 1-0 default
4. Yasaman Sakhakorn (UCR) def. Shanna Docherty (SUU) 6-0, 6-1
5. Catrisha Cabanilla (UCR) def. Emmi Bulloch (SUU) 7-6, 6-0
6. Roxanne Plata (UCR) def. Casie Brooks (SUU) 6-0, 6-3

Highlanders Swept at #27 Long Beach State, 7-0

(Feb. 17, 2007) - UC Riverside dropped a Big West Conference match, falling at No. 27-ranked Long Beach State 7-0 Saturday afternoon at the 49er Campus Courts. The Highlanders drop to 4-3 while Long Beach wins its fifth straight to improve to 5-1.

The 49ers began the day by winning all three doubles matches. At #1 doubles, #48-ranked Hannah Grady and Jessica Weeks won 8-1 over Erynne Oki and Donna McCullough. At two doubles, Stephanie Bengson and Rachael Porsz downed H.R. Espiritu and Roxanne Plata, 8-3. The 49ers completed the sweep at #3 doubles as Emmanuelle Tabatruong and Sandra Rocha rolled past Catrisha Cabanilla and Eri Yoshimoto, 8-1.

UCR's best chance for a point came when Oki won the first set at #1 singles over Grady. Grady came back for the win, 2-6, 6-0, 6-1. Bengson won 6-3, 6-2 at #2 singles over Espiritu and Weeks downed McCullough at the three spot 6-3, 6-3. Tabatruong played at #4 singles and defeated Yasaman Sakhakorn 6-1, 6-1. Rachael Porsz posted a 6-0, 6-4 win at #5 singles over Cabanilla. Denise Liebschner closed out at #6 singles recording a 6-2, 6-4 win over Alex Khoury.

The Highlanders return to Riverside to start a seven-match home streak. The series opens with a February 21 match against Cal State San Bernardino at 2 p.m. at the Recreation Center Courts.

DOUBLES
1-#48-Grady/Weeks (LBSU) def. Oki/McCullough (UCR), 8-1
2-Bengson/Porsz (LBSU) def. Espiritu/Plata (UCR), 8-3
3-Tabatruong/Rocha (LBSU) def. Cabanilla/Yoshimoto (UCR), 8-1

SINGLES
1-Hannah Grady (LBSU) def. Erynne Oki (UCR), 2-6, 6-0, 6-1
2-Stephanie Bengson (LBSU) def. H.R. Espiritu (UCR), 6-3, 6-2
3-Jessica Weeks (LBSU) def. Donna McCullough (UCR), 6-3, 6-3
4-Emmanuelle Tabatruong (LBSU) def. Yasaman Sakhakorn (UCR), 6-1, 6-1
5-Rachael Porsz (LBSU) def. Catrisha Cabanilla (UCR), 6-0, 6-4
6-Denise Liebschner (LBSU) def. Alex Khoury (UCR), 6-2, 6-4

Highlanders Crush Coyotes, 7-0

(Feb. 21, 2007) - The UC Riverside Highlanders women's tennis team cruised to a 7-0 victory over the visiting Division II Cal State San Bernardino Coyotes in play at the Student Recreation Center Tennis Courts in Riverside Wednesday. The Highlanders improved to 5-3 on the season.

The Highlanders swept the doubles point by winning each of the three matches by identical 8-2 scores. In singles play the UCR didn't drop a set, sweeping past the Coyotes. Highlighting the afternoon were No. 4 Catrisha Cabanilla's shutout of Sherry Leuthold, 6-0, 6-0, and No. 3 Yasaman Sakhakorn's near-blanking of Dotty Elwell, 6-0, 6-1.

The Highlanders return to action on March 2 as they host Big West rival Cal Poly at 2:00 p.m. The match is the second of seven consecutive home appearances for the Highlanders.

DOUBLES
1-Oki/McCullough (UCR) def. Joy/Horn (CSUSB), 8-2
2-Espiritu/Plata (UCR) def. Elwell/Leuthold (CSUSB), 8-2
3-Khoury/Simonsen (UCR) def. Fernandez/Chaves (CSUSB), 8-2

SINGLES
1-Erynne Oki (UCR) def. Jennifer Joy (CSUSB) 7-6, 6-1
2-Donna McCullough (UCR) def. Leslie Horn (CSUSB), 6-2, 6-2
3-Yasaman Sakhakorn (UCR) def. Dotty Elwell (CSUSB) 6-0, 6-1
4-Catrisha Cabanilla (UCR) def. Sherry Leuthold (CSUSB), 6-0, 6-0
5-Alex Khoury (UCR) def. Xinia Chaves (CSUSB), 6-1, 6-1
6-Anna Higane (UCR) def. Doreen Fernandez (CSUSB), 6-2, 6-2

Highlanders Fall to Mustangs, 6-1

(March 2, 2007) - Freshman Donna McCullough went 2-0 on the day but it was not enough as UC Riverside fell to visiting Cal Poly 6-1 in a Big West Conference match Friday afternoon at the Student Recreation Center Courts in Riverside. The Highlanders drop to 5-4, 0-2 on the year while the Mustangs improve to 5-6, 1-2.

McCullough was the standout of the afternoon for the Highlanders, combining with Erynne Oki at #1 doubles for an 8-2 victory over Carol Erickson and Steffi Wong. McCullough then stepped out at #3 singles, posting a straight-sets win over Shannon Brady, 6-4, 6-0 for UCR’s lone point of the day.

UCR continues its seven-game home stand on March 7 against Villanova University.

Cal Poly 6, UC Riverside 1
Doubles:
1. Erynne Oki/Donna McCullough (UCR) def. Carol Erickson/Steffi Wong (CP), 8-2
2. Diane Filip/Brittany Blalock (CP) def. H.R. Espiritu/Roxanne Plata (UCR), 8-2
3. Shannon Brady/Maria Malec (CP) def. Alexandra Khoury/Anne Marie Simonsen (UCR), 8-2
Cal Poly wins doubles point

Singles:
1. Brittany Blalock (CP) def. Erynne Oki (UCR), 6-3, 7-6
2. Steffi Wong (CP) def. H.R. Espiritu (UCR), 6-0, 6-4
3. Donna McCullough (UCR) def. Shannon Brady (CP), 6-4, 6-0
4. Diane Filip (CP) def. Yasaman Sakhakorn (UCR), 6-4, 6-3
5. Maria Malec (CP) def. Roxanne Plata (UCR), 6-0, 6-2
6. Melissa Bradford (CP) def. Alex Khoury (UCR), 6-3, 6-1

Highlanders Defeat Villanova, 6-1

(March 7, 2007) - UC Riverside topped its win total from last season, defeating Villanova University 6-1 in a non-conference match Wednesday afternoon at the Student Recreation Center Courts in Riverside. The Highlanders improve to 6-4 on the year while the Wildcats fall to 0-3.

UCR had a strong showing in the doubles, winning at #1 behind an 8-3 victory by Erynne Oki and Donna McCullough. After Villanova won at #2, Alex Khoury and Anne Marie Simonsen clinched the doubles point with a 9-7 win over Ashley and Courtney Reed.

After gaining the first point, UCR never looked back, taking five of six singles matched. McCullough and Khoury each improved to 2-0 on the day. McCullough won 6-4, 6-2 win at #3 over Leighann Reilly and Khoury pulled out a 6-2, 4-6, 10-5 win at #6.

UCR continues its seven-matc home stand tomorrow against the University of Pittsburgh.

UC Riverside 6, Villanova 1

Doubles:
1. Erynne Oki/Donna McCullough (UCR) def. Candice Carlin/Carla Erskine (VU), 8-3
2. Leighann Reilly/Jaclyn Williamson (VU) def. H.R. Espiritu/Roxanne Plata (UCR), 9-8
3. Alexandra Khoury/Anne Marie Simonsen (UCR) def. Ashley Reed/Courtney Reed, 9-7
UCR wins doubles point

Singles:
1. Candice Carlin (VU) def. Erynne Oki (UCR), 6-1, 7-6
2. H.R. Espiritu (UCR) def. Jaclyn Williamson (VU), 6-0, 6-4
3. Donna McCullough (UCR) def. Leighann Reilly (VU), 6-4, 6-2
4. Yasaman Sakhakorn (UCR) def. Courtney Reed (VU), 4-6, 6-4, 6-3
5. Roxanne Plata (UCR) def. Taryn Cappellini (VU), 6-2, 6-4
6. Alex Khoury (UCR) def. Lyndsey Lostritto (VU), 6-2, 4-6, (10-5)

Highlanders Defeat Pittsburgh, 4-3

(March 8, 2007) - The UC Riverside Highlanders posted a 4-3 win over the visiting University of Pittsburgh Panthers at the Student Recreation Center Courts Thursday.

The Highlanders took the doubles point behind No. 1 Erynne Oki and Donna McCullough and No. 2 H.R. Espiritu and Roxanne Plata. In singles play, the Highlanders took the No. 1, 2. and 3 matches, with the clincher coming as No. 1 Erynne Oki defeated Pittsburgh's Kristy Borza, 7-5, 3-6, 6-2 to put UCR over the top.

The Highlanders improve to 7-4, while Pittsburgh suffers its first loss, falling to 3-1.

UC Riverside 4, Pittsburgh 3

Doubles:
1. Erynne Oki/Donna McCullough (UCR) def. Leah Friedman/Kristy Borza (Pitt.), 8-5
2. H.R. Espiritu/Roxanne Plata (UCR) def. Anne Davies/Christie D'Achillie (Pitt), 8-2
3. Carlie Smith/Sabrina Visram (Pitt) def. Alexandra Khoury/Anne Marie Simonsen (UCR), 8-1

Singles:
1. Erynne Oki (UCR) def. Kristy Borza (Pitt.), 7-5, 3-6, 6-2
2. H.R. Espiritu (UCR) def. Leah Friedman (Pitt.), 6-2, 6-3
3. Donna McCullough (UCR) def. Carlie Smith (Pitt.), 6-1, 6-1
4. Sabrina Visram (Pitt.) def. Yasaman Sakhakorn (UCR), 3-6, 6-4, 6-3
5. Anne Davies (Pitt.) def. Roxanne Plata (UCR), 7-6, 6-2
6. Christie D'Achillie (Pitt.) def. Eri Yoshimoto (UCR), 6-3, 6-1

Highlanders Fall to UCSB, 7-0

(March 10, 2007) - The UC Santa Barbara Gauchos defeated the host UC Riverside Highlanders, 7-0 in a Big West Conference match Saturday.

"We had lots of great matches, but only one victory at No. 1 doubles," Head Coach Mark Henry said.

The team of Erynne Oki and Donna McCullough posted the Highlanders' only win, an 8-6 victory at No. 1 doubles. The duo are 10-2 this season at the top doubles spot.

UC Santa Barbara 7, UC Riverside 0

Doubles:
1. Erynne Oki/Donna McCullough (UCR) def. Charlotte Scatliffe/Marta Simic (UCSB), 8-6
2. Asogi Onaga/Carina Bjornstrom (UCSB) def. H.R. Espiritu/Roxanne Plata (UCR), 8-4
3. Kristen Wilson/Brittany Kausen (UCSB) def. Alexandra Khoury/Anne Marie Simonsen (UCR), 8-1

Singles:
1. Marta Simic (UCSB) def. Erynne Oki (UCR) 7-5, 4-6, (10-8)
2. Carina Bjornstrom (UCSB) def. H.R. Espiritu (UCR) 6-2, 3-6, 6-3
3. Charlotte Scatcliffe (UCSB) def. Donna McCullough (UCR) 6-4, 7-5
4. Asogi Onaga (UCSB) def. Yasaman Sakhakorn (UCR) 4-6, 7-5, (10-7)
5. Brittany Kausen (UCSB) def. Catrisha Cabanilla (UCR) 6-4, 7-5
6. Breanne Ojeda (UCSB) def. Roxanne Plata (UCR), 6-0, 6-3

Highlanders Drop Match to Nebraska, 6-1

(March 14, 2007) - UC Riverside women’s tennis dropped a non-conference match, 6-1 to visiting Nebraska Wednesday afternoon at the Student Recreation Center Courts in Riverside. The Highlanders fall to 7-6 on the year while the Cornhuskers improve to 7-5.

After Nebraska took the doubles point, UCR rallied with freshman Donna McCullough notching a 7-5, 6-3 win at #3 singles.

"Donna had a nice day today and played well," Coach Mark Henry said.

UCR takes a break for finals week, returning to action Saturday, April 7 with a Big West Conference home match against Cal State Northridge.

Nebraska 6, UC Riverside 1
Doubles:
1. Reimers/Kuhl (N) def. Oki/McCullough (UCR), 8-4
2. Ring/Swarting (N) def. Espiritu/Plata (UCR), 8-6
3. Cicmanec/Finnegan (N) def. Cabanilla/Simonsen, 8-3
NU wins doubles point

Singles:
1. No. 57 Imke Reimers (N) def. Erynne Oki (UCR), 6-0, 6-0
2. Diana Kuhl (N) def. H.R. Espititu (UCR), 6-3, 6-4
3. Donna McCullough (UCR) def. Wiveca Swarting (N), 7-5, 6-3
4. Maria Ring (N) def. Yasaman Sakhakorn (UCR), 6-0, 3-6, 6-4
5. Merianne Cicmanec (N) def. Catrisha Cabanilla (UCR), 6-3, 6-3
6. Ashley Finnegan (N) def. Alexandra Khoury (UCR), 6-1, 6-1

Northridge Defeats UC Riverside, 7-0

(April 7, 2007) - The visiting Cal State Northridge Matadors defeated the host UC Riverside Highlanders, 7-0, in a Big West Conference match at the Student Recreation Center Tennis Courts in Riverside Saturday. The Matadors improve to 9-5, while UCR is now 7-7.

CS Northridge 7, UC Riverside 0

Doubles:
1. Koichumanova/Gutierrez (CSN) def. Oki/McCullough (UCR), 8-4
2. Matljasevic/Krasinska (CSN) def. Yoshimoto/Plata (UCR), 8-2
3. Furuta/Fournell (CSN) def. Cabanilla/Simonsen (UCR), 8-2

Singles:
1. Silvia Gutierrez (CSN) def. Erynne Oki (UCR), 6-3, 6-2
2. Kanykey Kochumanova (CSN) def. Donna McCullough (UCR), 6-1, 6-0
3. Cannaa Futura (CSN) def. Yasaman Sakhakorn (UCR), 6-1, 6-2
4. Ana Matljasevic (CSN) def. Catrisha Cabanilla (UCR), 6-4, 6-0
5. Kasia Krasinska (CSN) def. Roxanne Plata (UCR), 6-2, 6-4
6. Sonya Kumar (CSN) def. Anne Marie Simonsen (UCR), 6-1, 6-1

Highlanders Fall Short at Cal State Fullerton, 4-3

(April 11, 2007) - Looking for its first Big West Conference victory, UC Riverside dropped a 4-3 decision at Cal State Fullerton Wednesday afternoon at Titan Courts. The Highlanders fall to 7-8 overall, 0-5 Big West, while the Titans improve to 4-15, 1-6.

The Titans grabbed the doubles point with victories at #1 and #2 but the Highlanders stormed back to win three singles matches. Freshman Donna McCullough pulled out a 7-6, 6-4 win at #2 singles over Mai-ly Tran and senior Catrisha Cabanilla dispatched Shaghig Injejikian, 6-0, 6-4 at #4. At #5 singles, freshman Roxanne Plata went three sets to beat Jerusha Cruz 5-7, 6-3 (1-6) but it was not enough as Fullerton won the three necessary singles matches to claim the overall victory.

UCR continues its three-game road trip at University of the Pacific on Saturday at 1 p.m. before facing UC Davis on Sunday at 11 a.m.

Cal State Fullerton (4) vs. UC Riverside (3)

Singles:
1. Gina Le (CSUF) def. Erynne Oki (UCR); 7-6, 6-0
2. Donna McCullough (UCR) def. Mai-ly Tran (CSUF); 7-6, 6-4
3. Katrina Domela (CSUF) def. Yasaman Sakhakorn (UCR); 6-0, 6-1
4. Catrisha Cabanilla (UCR) def. Shaghig Injejikian (CSUF); 6-0, 6-4
5. Roxanne Plata (UCR) def. Jerusha Cruz (CSUF); 5-7, 6-3, (10-6)
6. Cheyenne Inglis (CSUF) def. Anne Marie Simonsen (UCR); 6-4, 6-3

Doubles:
1. Le/Tran (CSUF) def. Oki/McCullough (UCR); 8-3
2. Injejikian/Inglis (CSUF) def. Yoshimoto/Plata (UCR); 8-3
3. Cabanilla/Simonsen (UCR) def. Domela/Cruz (CSUF); 7-6

Highlanders Lose 6-1 at Pacific

(April 14, 2007) - The UC Riverside Highlanders fell to the host University of the Pacific in a Big West Conference match in Stockton Saturday. Due to rain, the match was payed indoors. The Highlanders fall to 7-9 overall and 0-6 in the Big West

The Highlanders' number one doubles team of Erynne Oki and Donna McCullough posted an 8-4 win over Jolanta Twarowska and Helen Schneider, 8-4, but the Highlanders couldn't get the second win to take the doubles point.

In singles play, the Highlanders' Roxanne Plata posted a 4-6, 6-1, (9-7) win at number six to give UCR it's lone point of the match.

UCR faces UC Davis on Sunday at 11 a.m.

Pacific 6, UC Riverside 1

Doubles
1. Oki/McCullough (UCR) def. Twarowska/Schneider (PAC), 8-4
2. Mrazovic/Arens (PAC) def. Espiritu/Sakhakorn (UCR), 8-2
3. Tamborini/Fisher (PAC) def. Cabanilla/Plate (UCR), 8-2

Singles
1. Vana Mrazovic (PAC) def. Erynne Oki (UCR), 6-2, 6-3
2. Jolanta Twarowska (PAC) def. Donna McCullough, 6-3, 6-3
3. Svenja Arens (PAC) def. H.R. Espiritu (UCR), 6-3, 6-0
4. Helen Schneider (PAC) def. Yasaman Sakhakorn (UCR), 6-1, 6-1
5. Clara Schuhmacher (PAC) def. Catrisha Cabanilla (UCR), 6-1, 6-2
6. Roxanne Plata (UCR) def. Sasha Fisher (PAC), 4-6, 6-1, 1-0 (9)

Highlanders Fall 5-2 at UC Davis

(April 15, 2007) - Erynne Oki won both of her matches but it was not enough for the UC Riverside Highlanders as they fell to the UC Davis Aggies 5-2 in a non-conference match in Davis on Sunday. The win improves the Aggies' record to 10-10 while the Highlanders drop to 7-10.

Oki teamed with Donna McCullough at number one singles to defeat Jenna Kappel and Herzyl Legaspi, 8-6, but UC Davis earned the doubles point by capturing the other two matches. Emma Shapiro joined Anita Athavale at No. 3 to beat Catrisha Cabanilla and Yasaman Sakhakorn 8-2 before Robin Guier partnered with Desiree Stone to clinch the point with an 8-5 win at No. 2 over H.R. Espiritu and Roxanne Plata.

Straight-set wins in singles by Shapiro at No. 6 over Plata, and Jenna Kappel at No. 5 against Cabanilla made it 3-0 before Guier clinched the team victory with win over McCullough, who retired in the second set with Guier leading 6-1, 3-2 when the match ended.

Oki beat Stone 6-3, 6-4 at No. 1 to give UCR its first point of the day and Espiritu downed Legaspi 6-2, 6-3 at No. 2 singles. Sakhakorn looked to make it three straight for the Highlanders, but lost to Andrea Phillips 6-1, 5-7, (10-2).

The Highlanders complete their regular season on Wednesday, April 18 when they host UC Irvine at 2 p.m. at the Student Recreation Center Courts. It will be the final home match for senior Catrisha Cabanilla.

UC Davis 5, UC Riverside 2

Doubles
No. 1 - Erynne Oki/Donna McCullough (UCR) def. Jenna Kappel/Herzyl Legaspi (UCD), 8-6
No. 2 - Robin Guier/Desiree Stone (UCD) def. H.R. Espiritu/Roxanne Plata (UCR), 8-5
No. 3 - Emma Shapiro/Anita Athavale (UCD) def. Catrisha Cabannilla/Yasaman Sakhakorn (UCR), 8-2

Singles
No. 1 - Oki (UCR) def. Stone (UCD), 6-3, 6-4
No. 2 - Espiritu (UCR) def. Legaspi (UCD), 6-2, 6-3
No. 3 - Guier (UCD) def. McCullough (UCR), 6-1, 3-2 (ret.)
No. 4 - Andrea Phillips (UCD) def. Sakhakorn (UCR), 6-1, 5-7 (10-2)
No. 5 - Kappel (UCD) def. Cabanilla (UCR), 6-0, 6-2
No. 6 - Shapiro (UCD) def. Plata (UCR), 6-4, 6-1

Highlanders Drop Season Finale 7-0 to Anteaters

(April 18, 2007) - UC Riverside closed out its regular season with a 7-0 Big West Conference loss to #32 UC Irvine Wednesday afternoon at the Student Recreation Center Courts. The Highlanders fall to 7-11, 0-7 in the Big West while the Anteaters improve to 20-3, 7-0.

UC Irvine swept the doubles matches to claim the day's first point. Playing as partners for the first time, Erynne Oki and Eri Yoshimoto fought hard but fell to Becky Bernhard and Heidi Kaloi at number one, 8-3. The Anteaters went on to sweep the singles contests to close out the match.

The match marked the final home appearance for UCR senior Catrisha Cabanilla.

UCR will have a chance for revenge against the Anteaters when the two teams meet up in the first round of the Big West Championships next weekend at Indian Wells. The eighth-seeded Highlanders will face top-seed UCI on Friday, April 27 at 9 a.m.

UC Irvine 7, UC Riverside 0

Doubles
1. Becky Bernhard/Heidi Kaloi (UCI) def. Erynne Oki/Eri Yoshimoto (UCR), 8-3
2. Inna Agababian/Jessica Broadfoot (UCI) def. H.R. Espiritu/Roxanne Plata (UCR), 8-1
3. Jayme Hu/Ali Borowicz (UCI) def. Catrisha Cabanilla/Anne Marie Simonsen (UCR), 8-0

Singles
1. Becky Bernhard (UCI) def. Erynne Oki (UCR), 6-2, 6-0
2. Inna Agababian (UCI) def. H.R. Espiritu (UCR), 6-0, 6-0
3. Jessica Broadfoot (UCI) def. Yasaman Sakhakorn (UCR), 6-0, 6-1
4. Heidi Kaloi (UCI) def. Catrisha Cabanilla (UCR), 6-2, 6-2
5. Ali Borowicz (UCI) def. Roxanne Plata (UCR), 6-1, 6-2
6. Lisa Shih (UCI) def. Eri Yoshimoto (UCR), 6-2, 6-1

No. 8 Highlander Women Look to Shake Up at Conference Tournament

Click here to download the notes
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(April 19, 2007) - The UC Riverside Highlanders open the Big West Tennis Championships on Friday, April 27 at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden. The No. 8 seeded Highlanders have a tough task ahead of them as they must face the No. 1 seed, UC Irvine. The Anteaters beat the Highlanders, 7-0, in the last regular season match on April 18.

Injuries Piling Up For Highlanders
The Highlanders have lost seven straight matches, but much of those struggles can be attributed directly to key injuries to freshman Donna McCullough and junior H.R. Espiritu.
• McCullough, who has a winning record in dual matches this season at 10-7, missed the UC Irvine match with a back ailment. She is expected to play in the tournament.
• Espiritu, who is 6-8 in dual matches, missed time with a hyperextended knee, then suffered a back injury in her return match against UC Irvine. Her status is slightly more in doubt for the tournament.

McCullough Injury Splits Up Outstanding Doubles Tandem
The injuries have also thrown the Highlanders doubles team into a bit of a jumble, as the team of sophomore Erynne Oki and McCullough has been split up. The team is 12-5 this season at No. 1 doubles and 14-5 overall
• Oki has played very well at No. 1 singles for the Highlanders, posting a 5-12 record in dual matches and a 10-16 overall mark.

Highlander Tournament History
The Big West Tournament has not been kind to the Highlanders, who never finished higher than eighth and have yet to win a match in the event. The eighth place finish, based on seedings, came in 2004.

Highlanders Fall to UC Irvine in Big West Tournament, 4-0

(April 27, 2007) - No. 1 women’s seed UC Irvine posted a 4-0 win against eighth-seeded UC Riverside in the quarterfinals of the Big West Tennis Championship at Indian Wells Tennis Garden Friday morning.

The Anteaters improved to 21-3 while the Highlanders finished their season with a 7-12 record.

UCI picked up the doubles point with wins at No. 1 and No. 3. Ali Borowicz and Jayme Hu blanked senior Catrisha Cabanilla and freshman Anne Marie Simonsen 8-0 at No. 3. Becky Bernhard and Clare Fermin defeated sophomore Erynne Oki and freshman Donna McCullough 8-4 at the No. 1 spot.

The Anteaters moved everyone up a spot on the singles ladder when No. 2 player Inna Agababian suffered an injury during doubles play. The change did not affect their momentum as Fermin, who took over at No. 2 singles, won her match after junior H.R. Espiritu retired due to injury. Fermin had won the first set, 6-2. Heidi Kaloi followed suit with a 6-0, 6-1 triumph at No. 4 over junior Yasaman Sakhakorn.

The Anteaters finished out the match at No. 5 when Borowicz beat Cabanilla 6-1, 6-1.

UC Irvine 4, UC Riverside 0

DOUBLES
1. Bernhard/Fermin (UCI) def. Oki/McCullough (UCR), 8-4
2. Plata/Yoshimoto (UCR) def. Agababian/Broadfoot (UCI) , 3-3, ret.
3. Borowicz/Jayme Hu (UCI) vs. Cabanilla/Simonsen (UCR), 8-0

SINGLES
1. Becky Bernhard (UCI) vs. Erynne Oki (UCR) - DNF
2. Clare Fermin (UCI) def. H.R. Espiritu (UCR) – 6-2, ret.
3. Jessica Broadfoot (UCI) vs. Donna McCullough (UCR) - DNF
4. Heidi Kaloi (UCI) def. Yasaman Sakhakorn (UCR) – 6-0, 6-1
5. Ali Borowicz (UCI) def. Catrisha Cabanilla (UCR) – 6-1, 6-1
6. Lisa Shih (UCI) vs. Roxanne Plata (UCR) - DNF

Doubles Tandem of Oki and McCullough Named Second Team All-Big West

(May 1, 2007) - UC Riverside's top doubles team of sophomore Erynne Oki (Valley Village, CA/Notre Dame HS) and freshman Donna McCullough (Fremont, CA/ Mission San Jose HS) was named Second Team All-Big West, the conference announced Tuesday.

"This is a great honor for them. Donna was solid throughout the year, and Erynne's leadership and maturity on the court elevated both of their games," Head Coach Mark Henry said. "We are looking forward to bigger and better things in the years to come."

The team combined for a 14-6 overall mark in doubles play and a 12-6 in dual matches, all coming at No. 1 doubles.