USC came into the weekend’s slate of matches ranked No. 21 in the country despite being on a five game losing streak. The weekend kicked off with a rocky start as the Trojans lost a tough battle to Utah on Friday, 4-2. This marked the first time ever that Utah has beat the Trojans.
USC looked good to start in doubles with junior Eryn Cayetano and freshman Grace Piper winning 6-2. But the other two doubles pairs struggled as Utah won each of the other two matches 6-3 and took the first point.
Redshirt freshman Snow Han evened the duel in singles as she cruised to a 6-2, 6-1 win.
The teams continued to trade points as Utah senior Anya Lamoreaux won her match, and USC freshman Grace Piper won hers soon after. But the Utes came to play with graduate Linda Huang and senior Madison Tattini winning to clinch the match for the Utes.
It was a close battle, but the Trojans came up just short.
The Trojans came to play on Sunday against Colorado, however, as they dominated from start to finish winning the contest 5-1.
For the doubles, junior Eryn Cayetano and Piper got things started with a 6-1 win. Senior Salma Ewing and Han sealed the doubles point with a 6-2 win. Play was suspended for the final doubles match with freshman Sloane Morra and senior Danielle Willson down 4-3.
This was a great sign for the Trojans as they hadn’t won a doubles point since Jan. 23.
The Trojans didn’t let up and continued their momentum into the singles action. The first three USC singles players won the first set and turned those sets into duel points one way or another.
Cayetano struck first blood, winning 6-4, 6-2. Ewing also made quick work of her opponent, winning 6-3, 6-2.
Han needed an extra set to secure her win and the duel. She won the first set handily 6-2, but her opponent, senior Megan Forster, stormed back taking the second set 6-4. In the third set, Han took care of business and clinched the duel for USC winning 6-3.
After the match was already decided, USC was not as dominant. Willson struggled in her match, dropping the first set 6-0. Willson played marginally better in set two but ended up falling 6-3 as the Buffs earned their first and only point on the day.
Redshirt freshman McKenna Koenig saw her first action since Feb. 13 and made the most of it. Koenig won the first set 6-3 and came back to win the second set 6-4 after being down 3-1.
Redshirt freshman Isabelle Lee won her first set 6-4, but play was suspended before the match could finish.
The Trojans will look to continue their momentum into their next match on Friday against Arizona State at Marks Stadium.