GLENDALE, Calif. - Pacific Lutheran built an early lead by sweeping all three doubles matches, but host Occidental won five of the six singles contests to take a 5-4 win in a non-conference match played Wednesday at Scholl Canyon.

With its third consecutive victory, Oxy is now 4-6 for the season. The Lutes, meanwhile, saw their record drop to 7-6.

As has been the case throughout the season, PLU showed its strength in the doubles portion of the match, starting with an 8-5 win from Samantha Lund and Payton McGriff in the No. 1 slot. Leah Newell and Tina Aarsvold won by an 8-4 score at No. 2, and Allison McClure and Katherine Patton finished it with an 8-4 win at No. 3.

McClure, as it turned out, was the only Lute player to win in singles as she took a 6-3, 7-6 decision at No. 6.

Aarsvold won a second set tiebreaker to take her opponent to a third set in what would turn out to be the swing match, but Oxy's Catherine Anderson prevailed 6-3, 6-7, 6-3.

With the California spring break trip behind them, the Lutes return to action on April 5 when they play at Puget Sound.

- PLU -