SPOKANE, Wash.—Whitworth University jumped out to a 2-1 lead after doubles and held on during a tightly contested set of singles matches, for a 6-3 win over visiting Lewis & Clark women's tennis on Saturday.
Freshman Caren Uribe earned a pair of wins on Saturday at third doubles and second singles.
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KEY MOMENTS
After falling behind 2-0 to start doubles, the Pioneers pulled out a huge win at third doubles. Arielle Bloom and Uribe got off to a 7-4 lead, but had to go the distance in an 8-7 (7-4 win).
"The duo of Uribe and Bloom started the match off great, dictating play and playing to their strengths," head coach Jimmy Chau said. "The Bucs came back to make it interesting, as Jillian Huges and Grace Bethards picked up their energy and forced a tie-breaker. Uribe took over the baseline from there, to help the Pios earn the doubles point."
Singles play was extremely competitive, with three of the six matches going to a third-set and a fourth going to a tiebreaker in the second set.
Uribe cruised to a 6-3, 6-3 win at second singles and Whitworth's Kyndal Locati defeated Bloom 6-2, 6-2 at fourth singles.
The Pirates earned a win at sixth singles, as Bethards knocked off Hayley Kreps 6-2, 7-6 (7-2).
Maca Vives earned the other Pioneers win. The senior captain dropped the first 7-5, before roaring back for a 5-7, 6-3, 7-5 win.
Fellow senior captain Rachael Rice battled an injury and Aleah Kert in a 6-3, 5-7, 6-2 loss at number one singles.
At fifth singles, Jill Huges defeated Eadie Poulsen 3-6, 6-2, 6-2 as Poulsen also was dealing with an injury.
"So much credit to both teams today for giving it their all," Chau commented. "We definitely let some opportunities slip out of our grasp, but it's been a process all year long. Hopefully we'll learn from this one too."
DEEPER LOOK
- Uribe improved to 7-2 on the season at second singles and 11-5 overall in singles. She is second on the team in singles wins this year behind only Vives.
- The Pioneers have lost three-straight to the Pirates dating back to 2019.
- Vives earned her team-leading 22nd victory of the season on Saturday.
WHO'S NEXT
The Pioneers will close out conference play on Sunday, when they travel to take on Whitman University at 11 a.m.
