BERKELEY – The seventh-ranked California women's tennis team got back on the winning track and Anya Murthy earned her first clinching win as a Golden Bear in a 4-1 result over No. 73 Wake Forest on Saturday at the Hellman Tennis Complex.
 
Cal improved its record to 5-1 (3-1 ACC) after rebounding from its first loss of the season to No. 27 NC State on Friday. The Demon Deacons moved to 7-6 (0-2).
 
In doubles, the Bears dropped a match on court three before the pair of Berta Passola Folch and Laura Cilekova beat Wake Forest's Heidi Bulger and Evie Oxford 6-2 on court two. Cal's top duo secured the doubles point when Mao Mushika and Johanne Svendsen bested Nevena Carton and Kady Tannenbaum 6-4.
 
Wake Forest tied the match 1-1 in singles when Cal freshman Mille Johanna Moerk, trailing Oxford 6-2 on court five, retired with an injury.
 
The Bears responded with dominant performances on court two – where 13th-ranked Passola Folch beat Krystal Blanch 6-0, 6-1 – and court four – where Cilekova topped Bulger 6-0, 6-1 – to take a 3-1 lead. Murthy, a sophomore transfer from USC, then defeated Aubrey Nisbet 6-1, 7-5 on court six to secure Cal's victory as well as produce her first clincher and first dual-match singles win as a Bear.

"The Bears have had to face numerous challenges this season and this weekend was no different," Cal assistant coach Stephanie Kusano Wallace said. "NC State always competes with high-level intensity and we knew they would be tough. Despite being plagued with injuries, illness and doubles pairing adjustments, the team fought hard and we definitely had our chances. The difference hinged on a few crucial points that influenced momentum and ultimately the outcome. It was an important lesson in the difference between playing to win and playing not to lose. However, I'm proud of how the team pulled together and responded with purpose and professionalism. Various players had new opportunities to play under pressure these past few matches and it's a great sign that they are ready to make contributions, as evidenced by Anya Murthy clinching for us today. As a team, we took a step in the right direction toward growing and trusting the process."
 
Cal, which has played all six of its dual matches at home so far this season, concludes its current homestand against No. 10 Pepperdine on March 8.
 
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