The Biola women’s tennis team had their busiest week of the season, playing four matches in a span of seven days. Of those four matches, the Eagles only secured one win against Hope International University and lost two other matches by a score of 4-5.
Biola’s first match of the week was against Colorado Christian University on March 19. After sweeping doubles, the Eagles entered singles with a 3-0 match lead. The Cougars were able to rally in singles, winning five of the six singles matches and earning a 5-4 match victory.
Freshman Brooke Sanford was the only singles player to win a match point for the Eagles. Sanford won her fourth singles match of the season by a score of 7-5, 6-3.
One day after the close loss, Biola traveled to Arizona Christian University to play the No. 9 Firestorm on March 20. Biola lost to Firestorm 1-8 earlier this season, and suffered a 0-9 loss in their second meeting.
Sophomore Kelsey Post provided the closest singles match for the Eagles, losing to her opponent 1-6, 3-6.
Biola bounced back with a win against Hope International University on March 24. The Eagles secured two of the three doubles matches and entered singles with a 2-1 match lead. Biola overpowered the Royals in singles, winning all six matches to secure a final team victory of 8-1. Sophomore Madeline Heer and freshman Brooke Sanford both only let their opponent win one game in their matches.
“I think we went in with a lot of confidence because we had already beaten them,” said junior Kathryn Ashford. “I think a lot of times a problem with this team is confidence and lack of it. Yeah, I think that has a lot to do with it and we were just all pretty much on our game that day.”
The Eagles tried to carry their momentum against Pacific Lutheran University on March 25. Biola started the match with an early 2-1 lead after doubles. The Lutes were able to come back and win four of the six singles matches, finishing the match with a 5-4 victory.
Ashford and Heer were the only players to win their singles match. Ashford finished her opponent at first singles with scores 6-4, 6-3. Heer won her long fought battle at second singles in three sets. After winning her first set 6-3, her opponent won the second set by a close 5-7. Heer decisively won the match with a 6-2 third set.
Biola currently holds a season record of 3-12, while being 2-6 in conference. Their only two wins in the Golden State Athletic Conference come against Hope University. The Eagles next match is at home against Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute on March 27. RPI currently holds a season record of 5-4. This will be the first time the Eagles have played the Engineers in eight years.
