HONOLULU - The University of Hawai`i women's tennis team defeated NCAA Division II powerhouse and 5th-ranked, Abilene Christian, 6-1, Friday at the UH Tennis Complex.

The Rainbow Wahine (2-5) captured the doubles point by winning two of three matches. The duo of freshmen Julia Hodes and Sophie Kobuch beat Irene Squillaci and Aina Rafolomanantsiatosika, 8-4 at the No. 1 court and at No. 2, the team of senior Kana Aikawa and junior Chloe Bihag upended Holly Lindloff and Lana Pavlin, 8-4.

In singles play, UH won five of six matches. Aikawa fought back to defeat Squillaci in three sets, 3-6, 6-1, 6-4 at the No. 1 position and at No. 2, Kobuch ousted Rafolomanantsiatosika in two tie-breakers, 7-6(3), 7-6(4) at the No. 3 position. Hodes skunked Meagan Brown at No. 3, 6-0, 6-0 and at No. 4, Bihag beat Lindloff 6-4, 6-4. Senior Jacqui Williams earned a 6-2, 6-2 victory at the No. 5 court.

The Rainbow Wahine will next play three matches on the road against UC Davis, St. Mary's, and San Jose State beginning on February 24.

Hawaii def. Abilene Christian, 6-1
Doubles (UH wins doubles point)
1. Hodes/Kobuch def. Squillaci/Rafolomanantsiatosika (ACU), 8-4
2. Aikawa/Bihag def. Lindloff/L. Pavlin (ACU), 8-4
3. Brown/Drummond (ACU) def. Cappella/Williams, 8-5

Singles (each match worth one team point)
1. Kana Aikawa def. Irene Squillaci (ACU), 3-6, 6-1, 6-4
2. Sophie Kobuch def. Aina Rafolomanantsiatosika (ACU), 7-6(3), 7-6(4)
3. Julia Hodes def. Meagan Brown (ACU), 6-0, 6-0
4. Chloe Bihag def. Holly Lindloff (ACU), 6-4, 6-4
5. Jacqui Williams def. Lana Pavlin (ACU), 6-2, 6-2
6. Dina Pavlin (ACU) def. Samanta Cappella, 6-1, 6-2

-UH-