SAN DIEGO, Calif. – Michaela Bayerlova, Hikaru Sato and Pang Jittakoat each captured singles and doubles wins to lead Washington State tennis to a 4-2 victory over UC Santa Barbara Saturday morning at the Hogan Tennis Center.
 
With the win, WSU improves to 9-3 on the season while the Gauchos fall to 4-6.
 
Bayerlova and Sato started things off with a 6-2 doubles victory at No. 1 while Jittakoat and Jovana Knezevic won at No. 3 doubles by an identical score to secure the opening point for the Cougars.
                                                                       
In singles play, Bayerlova, the nation's 63rd-ranked player, improved to 11-0 on the season with a 7-6, 6-4 win over Amit Lev Ari at No. 1. Sato also captured a straight-set victory, defeating Tiffany Lagarde 6-2, 6-3 at No. 2. WSU's other win came courtesy of Jittakoat as the freshman improved to 9-0 in dual matches with a 6-2, 6-4 win over Anastasia Goncharova at No. 4.
 
The Gauchos picked up their victories as Dominika Paterova defeated Savanna Ly-Nguyen, 6-3, 6-3 at No. 3, while Juliana Valero bested Yang Lee, 6-2, 7-6 at No. 6. WSU's Melisa Ates, ranked No. 107, was nearing victory when her match against Lisa Sentenac was stopped with Ates leading 7-5, 6-6.
 
The Cougars return home Friday, March 6 as they host Colorado in the Pac-12-opener for both teams. Match time is set for 1:30 p.m.
 
WASHINGTON STATE TENNIS
#43 Washington State 4, UC Santa Barbara 2
February 29, 2020
San Diego, Calif.
 
DOUBLES

1. Michaela Bayerlova/Hikaru Sato (WSU) def. Anastasia Goncharova/Dominika Paterova (UCSB) 6-2
2. Melisa Ates/Yang Lee (WSU) vs. Amit Lev Air/Lisa Sentenac (UCSB) 4-5 DNF
3. Pang Jittakoat/Jovana Knezevic (WSU) def. Tiffany Lagarde/Juliana Valero (UCSB) 6-2

 
SINGLES

1. #63 Michaela Bayerlova (WSU) def. Amit Lev Ari (UCSB) 7-6 (2), 6-4
2. Hikaru Sato (WSU) def. Tiffany Lagarde (UCSB) 6-2, 6-3
3. Dominika Paterova (UCSB) def. Savanna Ly-Nguyen (WSU) 6-3, 6-3
4. Pang Jittakoat (WSU) def. Anastasia Goncharova (UCSB) 6-2, 6-4
5. #107 Melisa Ates (WSU) vs. Lisa Sentenac (UCSB) 7-5, 6-6 DNF
6. Juliana Valero (UCSB) def. Yang Lee (WSU) 6-2, 7-6 (3)