SAN DIEGO - San Diego women's tennis took down #22 USC for the first time in program history after claiming a 4-1 decision on Saturday afternoon at the Hogan Tennis Center.

Having lost 11 straight to USC (6-3), the Toreros (5-3) were in control throughout doubles and had triumphs in straight sets in all three singles victories.

"A win over USC is amazing for our program," said USD head coach Sherri Stephens. "All of our hard work and commitment to each other is paying off. We are not done yet."

The Toreros  won their fourth match in a row by making an impact early on, holding USC  to just one game across all three doubles matches. Sophomore Solymar Colling and freshman Helena Francati led off the doubles at the No.1 position with a 6-0 win in under 30 minutes. Senior Gemma Garcia and redshirt junior Maria Tyrina quickly followed suit, defeating Danielle Willson and Estella Jaeger 6-0 to clinch the doubles point for the Toreros. 

In singles, after Tyrina quickly defeated USC's Constance Branstine 6-2, 7-6 to give the Toreros a 2-0 lead, Garcia answered a USC victory with a singles win of her own over Sydney Van Alphen 6-3, 6-3.

Continuing her solid performance this week, freshman Elizabeth Goldsmith, ranked No. 124 in the nation, fought off Danielle Willson 6-2, 7-6 (2) and secured the last team point USD needed to clinch its fifth win of the year. 

The ranked victory was USD's first of year after dropping two contests in the ITA Kick-Off Weekend in January.

Due to a rain delay, the USD men's tennis match against Oregon was played out at the same time, limiting the women to the use of only four courts for singles matches while the men used the other four courts. Players in positions one through four started the dual match while USD's No. 5 Helena Francati and No. 6 Kati Kukaras rotated in when other matches concluded. 

Next up, the Toreros will face another Pac-12 opponent in Washington State. USD and the Cougars will meet in San Diego on Friday, February 28 at 1:30 p.m.


Results (in order of finish):

Doubles
1. Solymar Colling/Helena Francati (USD) def. Constance Branstine/Payton Saca (USC) 6-0
2. Gemma Garcia/Maria Tyrina (USD) def. Danielle Willson/Estella Jaeger (USC) 6-0
Unfinished
3. Elizabeth Goldsmith/Kati Kukaras (USD) vs. Sydney Van Alphen/Eryn Cayetano (USC) 5-1, unfinished

Singles
4. Maria Tyrina (USD) def. Constance Branstine (USC) 6-2, 7-6
1. Eryn Cayetano (USC) def. #59 Solymar Colling (USD) 6-3, 6-4
3. Gemma Garcia (USD) def. Sydney Van Alphen (USC) 6-3, 6-3
2. Elizabeth Goldsmith (USD) def. Danielle Willson (USC) 6-2, 7-6 (7-2)

Unfinished
5. Estella Jaeger (USC) vs. Helena Francati (USD) 0-0
6. Kati Kukaras (USD) vs. Payton Saca (USC) 1-0