Despite a loss to Point Loma Nazarene Sea Lions in the beginning of the week, the Eagles dominated their way towards tone-setting victories over Principia and Washington College (MD.)
DOWN ONE SET
The week started off with a dud as Point Loma overmatched the Eagles 1-8. Sophomore number one singles Lucas Lee was the only player to pull through with a win. Lee won in two sets 7-6 (7-5), 6-3.
In the midst of a three-game losing streak, Biola bounced back, ending their skid with a shutout against the Principia Panthers 9-0.
The Eagles dominated up and down the order in singles with Lee providing the most exciting match of the day. Down one set and losing the second set 1-3, Lee pulled himself together and fought all the way back to win his singles match decided by a 10-point tiebreaker 10-8.
“When Lucas was down, I told him that he knew he was not playing his best tennis at the moment, but you have been playing the best tennis as of the last few weeks,” said Brent Worthington, head coach. “I told him to be patient and that he was the better player out there.”
BESTED THEIR OPPONENTS
Deemed as a weakness by Worthington, the Eagles were just as convincing in doubles as in singles. All three doubles teams easily bested their opponents in two sets each.
The Eagles were on the verge of a .500 record going into the March 16 game against Washington College (MD.) as their scheduled opponent for March 19 and Golden State Athletic Conference foe, San Diego Christian University forfeited the match.
With their new-found momentum, Biola soundly defeated Washington College (MD.) on Wednesday 7-2. In singles, all players except one turned in a convincing win, including a 7-6 (7-5), 6-4 win by Lee. Lee’s singles win moved him to an exceedingly impressive 11-3 individual record.
Doubles continued to improve by swiftly winning two out of three matches.
“We need to continue to improve in doubles,” Worthington said. “It has been obvious this season and even last year that if we win two out of three doubles matches, we win the match.”
A TORRID PACE
Lee has been on a torrid pace this season as his individual singles record is impressive at 11-3. There has been dramatic improvement compared to his first season back in 2014 where he finished with a 8-12 individual singles record.
“I've really worked on my serve to the point where it is one of my biggest strengths, aside from the physical part of the game, I am more mentally stronger than in my first year,” Lee said. “The reason why I am able to pull out these close matches is because the game is 80 to 90 percent mental and 10 percent physical.”
Biola is on a three-game upswing and now find themselves in the thick of the GSAC lead. Biola looks to further their momentum at home on Friday March 18 against Colorado Christian University at 3:30 p.m.
