After losing the doubles point, UC Irvine rebounded to win four straight singles matches to defeat Long Beach State 4-1 in the championship of the 2010 Big West Women's Tennis Tournament Sunday at Indian Wells Tennis Garden.  It was the first women's tennis title in school history for the UCI program.

UC Irvine's victory also ended Long Beach State's reign of six consecutive tournament championships, tying a Big West record.  The Anteaters had previously lost to the 49ers in the championship match on four previous occasions, including 2004, 2006, 2008 and 2009.

The Anteaters started the match in 1-0 hole as the 49ers claimed the doubles point.  Sarah Cantlay and Julie Luzar won at No. 3 against Brooke Bartlett and April Bisharat.  Jaklin Alawi and Rachel Manasse beat Hannah Holladay and Rebecca Kwan at No. 1.  Both matches ended in identical 8-2 scores.

UCI reeled off singles victories at the top and bottom of their lineup to win the match.  Bisharat earned a 6-0, 6-3 win against Anais Dallara at No. 2 to knot the match at 1-1.

Rebecca Kwan posted a 6-3, 6-2 victory at No. 5 over Anna Jeczmionka and Kristina Smith followed with a 6-3, 6-3 decision versus Cantlay at No. 6.

The match ended at the No. 1 position.  Courtney Byron outlasted Alawi 7-5, 6-4 as matches at No. 3 and No. 4 were abandoned.

UCI improved to 13-10 on the year and earned the Big West's automatic qualifier to the NCAA Championship.  Long Beach State fell to 19-6 and awaits a potential postseason at-large bid.  The selection show will be televised between 2:00-3:00 p.m. on Tuesday, May 4 on ESPNews.

BIG WEST TENNIS CHAMPIONSHIPS
INDIAN WELLS TENNIS GARDEN
WOMEN'S CHAMPIONSHIP
UC IRVINE (4), LONG BEACH STATE (1) 

DOUBLES
1. Alawi/Byron (LBSU) def. Holladay/Kwan (UCI) - 8-2
2. Dallara/Armstrong (LBSU) vs. Byron/Smith (UCI) - DNF
3. Cantlay/Luzar (LBSU) def. Bartlett/Bisharat (UCI) - 8-2

SINGLES
1. Courtney Byron (UCI) def. Jaklin Alawi (LBSU) - 7-5, 6-4
2. April Bisharat (UCI) def. Anais Dallara (LBSU) - 6-0, 6-3
3. Deborah Armstrong (LBSU) vs. Stephanie Hammel (UCI) - DNF
4. Rachel Manasse (LBSU) vs. Brooke Bartlett (UCI) - DNF
5. Rebecca Kwan (UCI) def. Anna Jeczmionka (LBSU) - 6-3, 6-2
6. Kristina Smith (UCI) def. Sarah Cantlay (LBSU) - 6-3, 6-3