HONOLULU - The University of Hawai`i women's tennis team battled No. 26 BYU tough Friday afternoon in their first match of the spring season. The Rainbow Wahine took the first two singles matches against the Cougars, but fell in the end 5-2 at the UH Tennis Complex.

Sophomore Sophie Kobuch had the biggest win for the Rainbow Wahine, beating Anastasia Surkova, 6-4, 6-4, who is ranked nationally at No. 59. Kobuch set the tone on Court 1, finishing in a 1 hour and 30 minutes.

Senior Chloe Bihag added the second victory for UH, beating Kristina Doerr, 6-3, 2-6, 10-3. Bihag jumped out to an early lead, and won 10-3 in the super tiebreak, once BYU won the match.

Two newcomers joined the team at the semester and Jennifer Goldman made an immediate impact. Goldman had her teammates cheering for her in the final match played, while she lost a tough 7-6 (4), 1-6, (10-4) match. Natasha Zorec also joined the Rainbow Wahine at the semester break, but lost her opening match 6-1, 6-1.

The Rainbow Wahine return to action on Sunday when they host No. 13 Baylor at 11 a.m. at the UH Tennis Complex. Baylor and BYU will face each other Saturday at 1 p.m. at the UH Tennis Complex.

No. 26 BYU 5, Hawai`i 2
Doubles (BYU won doubles point)
1. Surkova/Doerr (BYU) def. Kobuch/Bihag, 8-3
2. Ezhova/Chang (BYU) def. Sandborn/Marie Tanaka, 8-3
3. Carney/Hayasaka (BYU) def. Zorec/Goldman, 8-2

Singles (each match worth one point)
1. Sophie Kobuch (UH) def. No. 59 Anastasia Surkova, 6-4, 6-4
2. Chloe Bihag (UH) def. Kristina Doerr, 6-3, 2-6, (10-3)
3. Liza Ezhova (BYU) def. Julia Sandborn, 6-0, 6-2
4. Chie Hayasaka (BYU) def. Natasha Zorec, 6-1, 6-1
5. Elle Carney (BYU) def. Jennifer Goldman, 7-6 (4), 1-6, (10-4)
6. Dolly Chang (BYU) def. Brittany Beswick, 6-1, 6-0

-UH-