TACOMA, Wash. - The Pacific Lutheran University women's tennis team opens up Northwest Conference play this weekend, welcoming a pair of Oregon rivals to the Sprinker Recreation Center. The Lutes open the NWC round-robin slate on Saturday against George Fox University before closing the homestand on Sunday against Lewis & Clark College.

The Lutes (2-2) head into conference play looking to buck their preseason expectations after being picked ninth in the preseason coaches' poll. Pacific Lutheran has shown promise in the non-conference slate, earning wins at the expense of Bellevue College and Highline College while putting up a spirited fight in a 6-3 setback to Whitworth University last Sunday.

Kylie Rademacher has made the quick transition from the basketball court to the tennis court, with the junior off to a 3-0 start in singles play, competing between the No. 4 and No. 6 spots. Rademacher has been similarly impressive in doubles with her partner and fellow dual-sport athlete Lauren Kearney. Rademacher and Kearney are currently 2-0 in doubles, having played a match at both the No. 2 and No. 3 positions. Kearney, also a junior, rejoined the tennis squad this winter after wrapping up another season in the pool for the Lutes, helping PLU win the NWC regular season dual meet title for the sixth consecutive season.

This weekend kicks off the first of four consecutive league matches before a spring break detour to California for a trio of non-conference matches. Upon returning from spring break the Lutes have three conference games and a non-league tilt before postseason play begins. 
 
Saturday's opponent, George Fox was picked to finish seventh in the final league standings according to the NWC Coaches' Poll while Lewis & Clark was projected to finish fourth.

The Lutes hit the court at 1 p.m. on Saturday before returning on Sunday at 10:30 a.m.