HONOLULU - The University of Hawai`i women's tennis team earned its third win of the season by beating Cleveland State, 5-2, Saturday at the UH Tennis Complex. The Rainbow Wahine improved to 3-7 while the Vikings of the Horizon League Conference dropped to 9-5.

In singles play, UH earned the victory by winning five of the six matches. At No. 1, Rainbow Wahine freshman Sophie Kobuch defeated senior Sarah Galon, a graduate from Leilehua High School, 6-1, 6-1. Kobuch has won three of her last four singles matches. Senior Kana Aikawa fought back to beat Denisa Muntean in three-sets at the No. 2 court, 4-6, 6-4, 6-0.

Junior Chloe Bihag held on to edge Charlotte Gibbons in three-sets, 6-1, 4-6, 7-5, at the No. 3 position. Senior Samanta Cappella dropped Jenn Myers, 6-0, 7-6(5) at the No. 4 court and senior Florence Wasko won a 6-0, 6-4 decision at No. 6 over Kristin Chamberlain. At No. 5, junior Julia Sandborn lost a heartbreaking three-set marathon to Lindsay Sellers 7-6(2), 3-6, 7-6(5).

In doubles play, Cleveland State won two of the three matches to earn the doubles point. Due to injuries to freshman Julia Hodes and Kobuch, the Rainbow Wahine forfeited the No. 3 doubles. At No. 2, the duo of Cappella and Sandborn overpowered Gibbons and Sellers, 8-3.

The Rainbow Wahine will next host Big Ten powerhouse and No. 37 Purdue (7-2), Monday, March 12, 4:00 p.m. at the UH Tennis Complex.

Hawai`i def. Cleveland State, 5-2
Singles (each match worth one team point)
1. Sophie Kobuch def. Sarah Galon (CSU), 6-1, 6-1
2. Kana Aikawa def. Denisa Muntean (CSU), 4-6, 6-4, 6-0
3. Chloe Bihag def. Charlotte Gibbons (CSU), 6-1, 4-6, 7-5
4. Samanta Cappella def. Jenn Myers (CSU), 6-0, 7-6(5)
5. Lindsay Sellers (CSU) def. Julia Sandborn, 7-6(2), 3-6, 7-6(5)
6. Florence Wasko def. Kristin Chamberlain (CSU), 6-0, 6-4

Doubles (Cleveland State wins doubles point)
1. Galon/Muntean (CSU) def. Bihag/Wasko, 8-6
2. Cappella/Sandborn def. Gibbons/Sellers (CSU), 8-3
3. UH forfeit

-UH-