PORTLAND, Ore. — Lewis & Clark College women's tennis claimed two of three doubles matches but couldn't maintain the momentum in singles play, falling 5-2 to George Fox University in Northwest Conference action Sunday at the L&C Tennis Dome.
THE BASICS
George Fox 5, Lewis & Clark 2
(Lewis & Clark 2-5, 1-2 NWC)
(George Fox 4-0, 3-0 NWC)
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Pioneers started strong in doubles play, with junior Susanna Anand and sophomore Charlotte Makoni securing a 6-2 victory at No. 1 doubles over Riley Bobkiewicz and Kalli Wiker. The Bruins responded by taking the second flight, as Shanah Denham and Sophie Denham defeated sophomore Emma Loucks and senior Lauren Smith-Euben 6-3.
Seniors Kacie Lau and Hayley Kreps secured the doubles point for Lewis & Clark with a 6-4 win at number three against Arianna Rader and Juhree Kizziar.
In singles play, Wiker topped Makoni 7-5, 6-1, at No.2 to tie the match at 1-1. Anand continued her strong form at first singles, defeating Bobkiewicz in straight sets 6-3, 6-3 to put the Pioneers back in front 2-1.
However, George Fox won the remaining four singles matches. Shanah Denham outlasted Kreps in the third flight, 6-3, 2-6, 6-2, while Sophie Denham's 6-2, 3-6, 6-2 win over first-year Taylor Stadjuhar at No. 4 singles gave the Bruins their first lead of the day 3-2.
The Bruins secured the victory with Abigail Bond's hard-fought 7-5, 7-6(2) win over Smith-Euben at number five. Lau forced a third set against Cassey Hitch but ultimately fell in a 10-point tiebreak, 5-7, 7-5, 1-0 (10-6).
BY THE NUMBERS
- Anand improved to 2-1 at No. 1 singles in Northwest Conference play this season.
- The number six singles match lasted two hours and 28 minutes, while the second singles match was the quickest at 78 minutes.
- Anand and Makoni teamed up for the first time in NWC play and earned the most decisive No. 1 doubles victory over George Fox since Christine Eliazo and Kacey Incerpi won 8-3 on March 18, 2018.
WHO'S NEXT
Lewis & Clark travels to Puget Sound for a noon match on Saturday.
