The Colorado College women's tennis team battled to the very end Monday evening, but fell to 36^th-ranked UC Santa Cruz, 6-3, in Santa Cruz, Calif.
 
The Banana Slugs jumped out to an early 3-0 lead by sweeping the doubles matches. CC's No. 2 doubles team of Christina Heffron and Lindsay Popeo nearly got a point before losing 8-7(6) to Chloe Wu and Sweden Van Houten.
 
The Tigers started their comeback with wins at the top two singles spots. Kala Komanduri handled Sara Beckman, 6-3, 6-2, at the No. 1 position, while Avery Hickman rallied to beat Wu, 1-6, 6-4, 6-2, at No. 2.
 
Christina Heffron came up just short of winning her fourth straight match at the No. 3 spot, but Natalie Sprenger downed the reigning SCAC Player of the Week, 7-6(10), 6-2.
 
Lindsay Popeo kept the Tigers alive with a dominating, 6-2, 6-1, victory over Meg Damojipurapu at No. 4, but UCSC's Melody Ghaffari clinched the match with a thrilling, 7-5, 4-6, 7-5 win over Gigi Jensen in the No. 5 match. Van Houten and Emmy Winter also went three sets at No. 6, with Van Houten winning 7-6(7), 2-6, 7-6(3).   
 
The Tigers return to action on Sunday, March 31, against Metro State at Memorial Park in Colorado Springs, beginning at 10 a.m.
 
 
UC Santa Cruz 6, Colorado College 3
March 18, 2024
Santa Cruz, CA
 
Doubles

1. Sara Beckman / Natalie Sprenger (UCSC) def. Kala Komanduri / Avery Hickman, 8-3
2. Chloe Wu / Sweden Van Houten (UCSC) def. Lindsay Popeo / Christina Heffron, 8-7(6)
3. Meg Damojipurapu / Tanner Rowland (USCS) def. Gigi Jensen / Emmy Winter, 8-4

 
Singles

1. Kala Komanduri (CC), Sara Beckman, 6-3, 6-2
2. Avery Hickman (CC) def. Chloe Wu, 1-6, 6-4, 6-2
3. Natalie Sprenger (UCSC) def. Christina Heffron, 7-6(10), 6-2
4. Lindsay Popeo (CC) def. Meg Damojipurapu, 6-2, 6-1
5. Melody Ghaffari (UCSC) def. Gigi Jensen, 7-5, 4-6, 7-5
6. Sweden Van Houten (CLU) def. Emmy Winter, 7-6(7), 2-6, 7-6(3)