The Biola Eagles’ men’s and women’s tennis teams faced a tough workload this past week, playing in three matches each. The men now sit at 9-8 on the season, while the women are at 5-12.

Continuing to Improve

“We have had days and matches where we played well and did things the right way, with focus, energy and confidence,” said Brent Worthington, men’s head coach. “We just weren't consistent enough in this, especially against Hawaii at Hilo. We still have had a great season and will continue to improve and play our best tennis the rest of the year.”

Play started on March 18, when both teams faced off against the Colorado Christian Cougars. The men earned their third shutout of the season, dispatching the Cougars quickly and efficiently. The highlight of the match came on the sixth singles court, as sophomore Michael Vartuli clinched the shutout by winning the super tiebreaker third set 12-10.

The women did not fare so well, losing the match 2-7. Sophomore Brooke Sanford took one of the victories 6-4, 6-0 in singles play, while the second came courtesy of an 8-6 win by junior Madeline Heer and freshman Bailey McGeough on the number two doubles court.

Victories for Both Teams

Both teams had three days off before playing the University of the Southwest Mustangs on March 22, which proved good for them, as both teams got the victories. The men played first, and kicked things off winning four of the six singles matches and all three doubles matches to take the 7-2 win.

The women kept the good times rolling, starting with doubles play, where only the number two team of Sanford and senior Kathryn Ashford dropped a match. Singles play belonged to the Eagles, as the women took all six matches to get the 8-1 win over the Mustangs.

Heartbreak

Biola hosted the University of Hawaii at Hilo on March 23, which ended in heartbreak for both teams. The men got in a hole early, losing four of the six singles matches. They fought back in doubles, winning two of the matches, but fell one match short of the win, losing it 5-4. Sophomore Lucas Lee lost his first singles match since March 5, but he has remained by far the most consistent for the Eagles, as he has gone 11-4 in singles play this season.

The women suffered a heartbreak as well, dropping the match 5-4. They lost two of the three doubles matches, but were unable to win enough of the singles matches to get the win. Senior Susan Carmichael had the closest match of the day for the women, as she played a third set tiebreaker, barely getting the 10-8 win.

Spring Break

The men have three matches over spring break, first playing against the Middlebury College Panthers on March 28, then the Pacific Lutheran University Lutes on March 29 and finally the Lewis-Clark State College Warriors on April 1. The women only have one match over spring break, as they play Lewis-Clark on April 1.