Photo by: Tony Leon/ActionWestPhotography.com

ORANGE COUNTY, Calif. – The Whittier women's tennis team took to the courts Saturday afternoon but fell 7-2 to the Chapman University Panthers ranked No. 13 nationally and No. 2 in the west region.

The Poets (1-4) got down early 3-0 after doubles despite a great effort by the No. 2 team of junior Kady Oliker and freshman Chloe Dredge who were on serve the entire match but were unable to pull it out as they lost 8-6.

But the day wasn't over for the Poets as they fought and clawed their way back into the match putting out spectacular efforts from No. 1 singles down to No. 6.  Starting at the top spot freshman Liliana Serylo took on nationally ranked Kelley Fox (No. 11) but she was unable to pull out the upset as she lost 7-6(5), 6-4. 

Freshman Dredge found herself in a similar situation at No. 3 singles as she also played a nationally ranked player in Genna Ford (#24) but she also fell 6-4, 6-3.

But the fight of the Poets came from the No. 4, 5, and 6 players.  Sophomore Lauren Gelgur found herself in familiar territory as she yet again found herself battling in a three set match.  But the end result wasn't favorable as she lost 1-6, 6-4, 5-7.

The women however continued to fight despite knowing they had lost the match and Oliker and Rachel Aelion-Moss did their best to prove they can compete with anyone. 

Oliker yet again played a three setter claiming the first point for the Poets as she won 4-6, 6-1, 10-3 making this her second match in a row where she has come from a set down to claim victory. 

Junior Aelion-Moss also found herself fighting back in a three setter and she came out victorious as she pulled out the second point for the Poets 5-7, 6-1, 10-8.

The women's team looks to rebound as they play host to Occidental College tomorrow morning beginning at 11 am.