Elisabeth Fournier and Liudmila Vasilieva led WSU to its best performance against Stanford in school history on Thursday.

WSU claimed two points from the No. 12 Cardinal in a 5-2 loss.

The Cougars are now 9-12 on the season and 1-5 in the Pac-10.

Stanford started the match by sweeping the doubles matches. Fournier and Vasilieva took on the No. 2 nationally ranked doubles team of Hilary Barte and Lindsey Burdette, but the lost 8-0 at the No. 1 spot.

At the No. 2 spot, Ksenia Googe and Andjela Kankaras took on the No. 34 nationally ranked duo of Mallory Burdette and Stacey Tan but lost 8-5. Marina Nicolas and Lea Jansen lost to Carolyn McVeigh and Veronica Li, 8-4 at the No. 3 spot.

In singles play, the Cougars were able to capture two points from the Cardinal at the No. 1 and 2 singles positions.

Head Coach Lisa Hart was excited with the outcome of the singles matches.

“I think this is the most competitive match we’ve had with Stanford, probably ever, to beat them at their one and two spots. I think our best players are better than their best players. I think it says a lot about our program,” Hart said. “We need to work on our depth a little bit, but I’m really excited, I think we competed really well throughout the lineup.” Sophomore Fournier competed against No. 8 Barte, winning 6-4, 6-0 at the No. 1 spot.

Fournier’s victory at the No. 1 singles was the second-highest ranked opponent any WSU player has defeated. It was also the highest-ranked opponent any WSU tennis player has beaten since March 20, 2005, when Eka Burduli (defeated Washington’s No. 6 Dea Sumantri.

Freshman Vasilieva was also able to upset her nationally ranked opponent when she defeated No. 61 L. Burdette, 4-6, 6-2, 6-2 at No. 2 singles.

WSU has never posted two singles victories over Stanford.

Hart was very proud of both of their performances.

“I’m really excited for both of them. Liz, to beat the No. 8 girl in the country is awesome, and then Liudmila also beat a nationally ranked player, so I think they both just really stepped up and played their games, and I’m proud of both of them,” Hart said.

Vasilieva was also excited about her victory.

“It feels good, especially because I’m a freshman,” Vasilieva said. “I’m looking for a new position, maybe even higher.” WSU will now look to continue into the weekend on the momentum gained in the Stanford match.

The Cougars have four remaining matches this weekend.

Today, they will host Northern Arizona at noon.

WSU then plays a doubleheader on Saturday against Montana and Gonzaga at 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. They will then finish the weekend with a match against No. 11 California, Sunday at 11 a.m.

Northern Arizona is undefeated in Big Sky play so far this season. The Lumberjacks are 10-3 overall on the season. The Cougars lead the all-time series, 4-0.

The Montana Grizzlies are 8-10 on the season and come to Pullman looking for their third-consecutive victory. WSU leads the all-time series, 24-4.

Gonzaga is coming off its fifth-straight victory and is looking for its first win against WSU. The Bulldogs are 12-4 overall, while WSU leads the all-time series 14-0.

The No. 11 University of California Golden Bears are 14-4 on the season with a roster that boasts four nationally ranked players. The Cougars are 1-12 all-time against the Golden Bears.

Vasilieva says the team has been preparing for this weekend.

“We are working hard and doing our mental job to be ready to beat everyone this weekend,” Vasilieva said.