MORAGA, Calif. — The Gaels got off to a good start in their match against San Diego (8-3, 2-0 WCC) on Saturday by winning the doubles point but USD fought back in singles to grab a number of close matches and take the contest, 5-2. 

"That was a great match against a really good USD team," said Saint Mary's head coach Simon Harston. "We are playing without one of our top singles players right now and to be in that tough of a fight still shows the depth of our lineup and the heart this team has."

SMC (3-5, 1-1 WCC) posted two impressive doubles wins to claim the point. Mariia Kozyreva and Danielle McIntyre defeated No. 74 Solymar Colling/Elizabeth Goldsmith 6-4 on Court 1 before Jocelyn Massey and Aubane Ville secured the point with a tight 7-5 win against San Diego's No. 2 tandem. 

Kozyreva picked up her second win of the day over a ranked opponent on Court 1 by defeating the 66th-ranked Colling in a 5-7, 6-3, 7-6(3) match. The senior remains unbeaten this season at 7-0 in singles and is 3-0 against ranked players. 

The Toreros took five of the six singles contests but not without a fight from the Gaels. Jordan Harris won her first set 6-1 and forced three sets before falling on Court 2 while Massey was edged in two close sets, 7-6(3), 7-5. San Diego was picked to finish second in the WCC in the preseason coaches poll. 

The Gaels return to action on Thursday at San Francisco at 2 p.m. 

RESULTS
San Diego 5, Saint Mary's 2

DOUBLES
1. Mariia Kozyreva/Danielle McIntyre (SMC) def. #74 Solymar Colling/Elizabeth Goldsmith (USD) 6-4
2. Jocelyn Massey/Aubane Ville (SMC) def. Elisabeth Andryukhov/Kati Kukaras (USD) 7-5
3. Jordyn McBride/Abigail Desiatnikov (USD) def. Jordan Harris/Liesl Pieters (SMC) 6-1
Order of finish: 3,1,2

SINGLES
1. Mariia Kozyreva (SMC) def. #66 Solymar Colling (USD) 5-7, 6-3, 7-6 (7-3)
2. Elizabeth Goldsmith (USD) def. Jordan Harris (SMC) 1-6, 6-0, 6-2
3. Jordyn McBride (USD) def. Danielle McIntyre (SMC) 6-3, 6-2
4. Abigail Desiatnikov (USD) def. Gabriela Tevez (SMC) 6-1, 6-4
5. Victoria Kalaitzis (USD) def. Jocelyn Massey (SMC) 7-6 (7-3), 7-5
6. Kati Kukaras (USD) def. Aubane Ville (SMC) 6-1, 6-4
Order of finish: 3,6,2,4,5,1