The University of Washington women’s tennis team bounced back from two tough weeks of tennis to end their spring break on a positive note, defeating Gonzaga 6-1 at home on Sunday for their second win of the season. After consecutive losses to Washington State, San Diego State, San Diego and Boise State over the vacation, the Gonzaga match allowed the Huskies (2-13) to snap their losing streak and show their home fans how good they can really be.

“Today was a big victory for us,” said UW head coach Jill Hultquist. “It was an easy win, but at the same time it was hard because losing so much can tend to put you in kind of a funk. [Against Gonzaga] the girls showed how they’ve really been able to remain positive and focused.”

UW claimed the doubles point in dominant fashion and then went on to take five of the six singles matches on their way to victory. Mathilde Cor, playing at No. 1 singles for the Huskies, was the last to finish her match. After winning the first set 6-1, Cor dropped the second 1-6 to go to a third set. Buoyed by the encouragement of the home crowd, Cor held steady to take the third set 6-4. She has now won three consecutive matches at that position after the Huskies had gone 0-12 there previously.

Despite the struggles with illness and injury that have plagued them throughout the season, the women have been working hard, and the payoff showed on every court. Of course, there was a little luck involved in the win, too. Junior co-captain Tara Simpson, playing at the No. 3 singles position, cruised to a 6-0, 6-1 victory over Gonzaga’s Sydney Lederhouse.

“I’m very happy,” Simpson said about her win. “It’s because I took my earrings out before I played!”

Simpson was also strong in doubles, where she and partner Melinda Wong defeated their opponents 8-2 on the No. 2 court. Simpson and Wong now have a team-best 8-7 record in dual-match play this season.

With only six players — the very minimum — available to play in matches due to injury and eligibility concerns, the women’s team has had to battle for every match. Players have been forced to play through injury and fatigue to prove their toughness.

“Having only six players is definitely hard on bodies, but the girls have been toughing it out,” Hultquist said.

Reach reporter Risa Pavia at sports@thedaily.washington.edu.