KAILUA, Hawai'i – The No. 7 Hawai'i Pacific University women returned to team play for the first time since mid-February with a 4-2 victory over Division I Portland State on Monday at the Kailua Racquet Club.
 
The Sharks (2-1) needed just three wins to claim the match as the Vikings (5-8) gave up a singles point and half a doubles point due to injury.
 
Portland State took the No. 1 set in doubles, as Capucine Sanoner and Ashley Ramirez beat HPU's Marleen Tilgner and Nicole Ballach 6-4, but the Sharks claimed the doubles point with Elodie Busson and Valentina Mokorova downing Lottie Meszaros and Emily Rees 6-4.
 
HPU led 2-0 entering singles action.
 
The Sharks quickly made it 3-0 with Tilgner shutting out Meszaros 6-0, 6-0 at No. 1 singles.
 
The Vikings came back with Rees beating Mokorova 6-4, 6-4 at No. 3, then Sanoner took a three-set win at No. 2 over Busson 7-6 (7-3), 4-6, 6-3 to pull PSU to 3-2.
 
It was Ballach that came through for the Sharks at No. 5, taking her own three-set win over Gerda Upeniece 6-1, 4-6, 6-3 to end the match at 4-2.
 
One position went unfinished as HPU's Marta Ruszczynska and PSU's Ramirez were knotted in a three-setter 6-7, 6-2, 5-5 when play was halted.
 
The Sharks have matches planned against Hawai 'I Hilo and Chaminade in the next two weeks before taking a mainland trip that includes the PacWest Conference Tournament April 22-24.