After 23 months without playing a dual match, the PPWT (Pomona-Pitzer Women’s Tennis) Team kicked off the Spring 2022 season on February 11, with a 6-1 win over CSLA (California State University, Los Angeles).
With beautiful 85°F weather in Los Angeles, the Sagehens and Golden Eagles competed by Division I/Division II rules, where all matches had no-ad scoring, each doubles match was played in a six-game set, the three doubles matches were played for one point in the overall team score, the six singles matches each counted for one point.
CSLA came out swinging, hitting some big balls at both No. 1 and No. 2 doubles and playing very crafty tennis at No. 3 doubles. At No. 1 doubles, Maria Lyven ‘22 and Nina Ye ‘24 broke early and did not look back, claiming a 6-2 win. While Marissa Markey ‘25 and Angie Zhou ‘25 also broke early on, CSLA clawed their way back into the match before Angie and Marissa took some great risks on big points and closed out the set with a 6-3 win at No. 2 doubles. After being down 5-2, Georgia Ryan ‘23 and Patria Aziz ‘23 climbed their way back into the match against a hard competing No. 3 doubles team but eventually fell 6-3. By winning two out of the three doubles matches, the Sagehens took the first point in the dual match.
The Sagehens had equally strong results in singles. Janie Marcus ‘23 came out swinging with some aggressive play and won the No. 5 singles match 6-3, 6-0. At No. 1 singles, Maria followed up her doubles win with a commanding 6-1, 6-0 victory. Georgia sliced and diced and even found her way to the net with a convincing 6-1, 6-1 win at No. 6 singles. Angie worked her magic against a tough opponent at No. 3 singles, winning 6-3, 6-4. Marissa had a solid 6-3 first set win. Her opponent at No. 4 singles played some great defensive tennis before Marissa saved three set points to win the second set in a tiebreaker, 9-7. After dropping the first set 6-4 at No. 2 singles, Nina took the second set 6-3. She was the last Sagehen on against a very tough player from Japan. The third-set super tiebreaker looked like a boxing match. Nina fought through extremely physical points and saved multiple match points, but eventually fell 11-9.
Coach Mike Morgan’s Thoughts
“This match marked a great start to the season and the energy was exciting. It was a lot of fun to play against a team that pushed us competitively. And mostly, we were happy to have a team meal at Chipotle after the match together again!! Many thanks to CSLA for being gracious hosts. We can’t wait to lace ’em up again against Trinity (Texas) and Occidental on February 26!! Let us know if you are in town!”
(Images courtesy of Pomona-Pitzer Women’s Tennis Team)
What an exciting first match and such great tennis was played!!!
Many thanks for being there!!!
How exciting to be back out on the courts again playing matches! Way to go HENS! Good luck this season!
Thank you!!