Los Angeles – Senior Lize Leenknecht posted a convincing win at No. 6 singles but it was not enough as USC defeated No. 47 Washington State 5-1 in a Pac-12 conference tennis match Saturday afternoon at Marks Stadium.

With the loss the Cougars fall to 13-3 overall, 0-2 in Pac-12 play, while the Trojans improve to 5-3, 2-2 in Pac-12 action.

During singles play, Maria Biryukova fell to Giuliana Olmos, ranked No. 21 nationally, 6-0, 6-3 at No. 1, giving USC the 1-0 lead. Lize Leenknecht pulled WSU even posting a 6-2, 6-0 win over Kristen Venter at No. 6. Jessica Failla, ranked No. 66 nationally, defeated Aneta Miksovska 6-3, 6-1 at No. 5, giving the Trojans a 2-1 lead.

After a 20-minute rain delay, Zoe Katz defeated Trang Huynh 3-6, 6-0, 6-1 at No. 4. The loss snaps Huynh's 14 match unbeaten streak to start the spring season. At No. 2, Bashota fell in a hard-fought 6-4, 7-5 match to No. 90 Madison Westby giving USC the 4-1 lead. Barbora Michalkova fell in a back-and-forth three-set match against Gabby Smith, ranked No. 85 nationally, by a score of 4-6, 6-1, 6-4 to end the match.

Due to inclement weather doubles matches were not played.

The Cougars are next in action Friday when they travel to take on No. 28 Oregon. Match time is set for 1:30 p.m.

SINGLES:
1. #21 Giuliana Olmos (USC) def. Maria Biryukova (WSU) 6-0, 6-3
2. #90 Madison Westby (USC) def. #119 Donika Bashota (WSU) 6-4, 7-5
3. #85 Gabby Smith (USC) def. Barbora Michalkova (WSU) 4-6, 6-1, 6-4
4. Zoë Katz (USC) def. Trang Huynh (WSU) 3-6, 6-0, 6-1
5. #66 Jessica Failla (USC) def. Aneta Miksovska (WSU) 6-3, 6-1
6. Lize Leenknecht (WSU) def. Kristen Venter (USC) 6-2, 6-0
Order of Finish: 1,6,5,4,2,3