Contact: Mark Albanese, Director of Sports Communication

Box Score

LOS ANGELES, Calif. - The Pacific Lutheran University women's tennis squad played its first outdoor match of the spring on Sunday, dropping a 5-4 nailbiter to host Occidental College.

"The team played well and it was a great match," said Head Coach Lorrie Wood. "It couldn't have been closer, coming down to a three-set match at No. 2 singles."

The dual started with three tightly contested doubles matches, including a 9-7 victory by the Lutes' (1-9) Caroline Dreher and Megan Beyers at the No. 1 spot. Lauren Kearney and Kristi Floyd were nipped 8-6 at No. 3 while Emily Bower and Emily Beemsterboer fell 8-4 at the No. 2 position.

In singles, Emily Beemsterboer outlasted the Tigers' (2-8) Andrew Clawson, 6-7 (7-9), 6-2, 6-1, at No. 4 while Lauren Kearney and Kylie Rademacher picked up wins at the No.5 and No. 6 spots, respectively. Kearney disposed of Luaren Hutkin, 7-6 (7-5), 6-3, at No. 5 while Rademacher secured the 7-5 (8-3), 6-3, decision.

Sunday's match came down to No. 2 singles with Oxy's Maxine Krygier emerging with the, 6-2, 4-6, 7-5, victory over Emily Bower.

"With our first outdoor match under our belt we now look forward to playing Biola tomorrow."

PLU returns to the courts tomorrow, facing Biola University at 2 p.m.