Cal State Fullerton freshman Jessica Pepa outlasted her opponent in three sets at No. 6 singles to give the Titans a 4-3 victory over UC Riverside in the first round of the Big West Women's Tennis Championship at Indian Wells Tennis Garden.

Pepa defeated Kate Bergerson 6-3, 3-6, 6-4 for the second time in as many weeks as the Titans advanced to the quarterfinals to face top-seeded Long Beach State on Friday at 8:00 a.m.

The Titans took an early 1-0 lead after capturing the doubles point.  Morgan McIntosh and Tiffany Mai defeated Jamie Raney and Taylor Raney at the No. 1 position, 8-6, to clinch the point after the two schools split at No. 2 and No. 3.

The Highlanders quickly tied the match at 1-1 as Natalie McKay downed Malorie dela Cruz by a 6-4, 6-0 score.  However, CSF recaptured the lead as Mai made quick work of Jamie Raney, 6-0, 6-2.  UC Riverside responded with wins at No. 3 and No. 4 to reclaim a 3-2 lead.

McIntosh came up big for the Titans at No. 2 with her hard fought 6-3, 5-7, 6-2 victory against Kat Saltarelli, setting the stage for the showdown at No. 6.

Cal State Fullerton improves to 8-12 on the year while UC Riverside concludes its season at 3-15.