TACOMA, Wash. - The Pacific Lutheran University women's tennis team welcomes Otterbein University and Lewis & Clark College to the Sprinker Recreation Center this weekend, capping off the Lutes' six-match homestand.

The Lutes (3-3) are coming off a tough outing against the Whitworth University in which they suffered a 9-0 setback. Kylie Rademacher and Lauren Kearney provided a stiff challenge at the No. 3 doubles position against the Pirates while Kearney battled hard, coming up just short, 6-4, 6-4, at No. 5 singles. 

Rademacher and Kearney are part of 2020 senior class that also includes Michelle Batin, Emma Lund, and Alina Nussbaum. 

Of the seniors, both Rademacher and Kearney are two-sport athletes. Rademacher, an Enumclaw, Washington native, is also a member of the women's basketball team while Kearney is a member of the swim team, having earned All-NWC honors all four seasons in the pool. 

In addition to a strong senior class, this year the Lutes have two first years on the team. Sydney Cameron joins the Lutes from Chehalis, Washington where she attended W.F. West High School. Cameron has hit the ground running, currently plating both No. 1 singles and No. 1 doubles. The team's other first year is Madeline DelCastillo. She hails from Castle Rock, Washington where she attended Castle Rock High School. 

Saturday's opponent, Otterbein University is located in Westerville, Ohio and heads to Tacoma with a 9-1 record on the season and have knocked off consecutive NWC opponents. The Cardinals took down Pacific University 7-2, George Fox University 6-3, Willamette University 9-0, and University of Puget Sound 7-2. Lewis & Clark College is 1-2 on the season and come to Tacoma after suffering a tough loss to Trinity University.

The Lutes hope their balance of experience and young talent will pay off this weekend. Play against Otterbein will begin at 5 pm on Saturday. The Lutes will face Lewis & Clark at 10 am on Sunday.