Photo by: Tony Leon/ActionWestPhotography.com
WALLA WALLA, Wash. – The Whittier College women's tennis team faced tough competition during the Whitman Winter Classic this past weekend dropping four matches to No. 29 Whitman, No. 35 Linfield, No. 40 Texas-Tyler, and No. 36 Lewis & Clark.
Match 1 (Whitman; L, 8-1)
Having to get used to playing in a bubble, the Poets were at a disadvantage against the host Whitman. After dropping two and three doubles the No. 1 duo of Gabi Etchegaray (Placentia, Calif.) and Meagan Zamilpa (Hacienda Heights, Calif.) came up big with an 8-3 victory at No. 1 over Courtney and Morgan Lawless.
But this would be the lone point gathered by Whittier despite two three setters at No. 1 and No. 5 singles. Zamilpa, ranked No. 41 in the ITA Rankings pushed No. 16 C. Lawless after dropping the first 6-0, came back to win the second 6-4 before falling 10-6 in a third set ten point breaker. At No. 5, freshman Jada Henry (Oceanside, Calif.) put together a strong showing against Erin Bell. After winning the first set 6-3, Henry fell 6-3 in the second and was edged 10-8 in the third set tiebreaker.
Match 2 (Linfield; L, 6-3)
Whittier bounced back in the nightcap against the Wildcats taking one of three doubles, but this time the victory coming at No. 2 from Benay Weintraub (Memphis, TN) and Alexis Agustin (Ewa Beach, HI) who won 8-6 over Courtney Hammagren and Basia Kopecka.
Weintraub again came up big in singles at No. 3 edging Kaila Nip in a battle 6-0, 5-7, 6-3, while Henry faced off against Marisa Kume winning in straights 6-3, 6-3. Despite a tight 6-3, 7-5 match from Etchegaray at No. 2 against Kopecka, it wouldn't be enough to get the fourth point.
Match 3 (Texas-Tyler; L, 8-1)
Zamilpa again stole the show winning at No. 1 singles beating Tori Musngi in three sets 4-6, 7-5, 10-4, but she would be the only point gathered despite another strong showing by Henry at No. 5 who lost 6-4, 6-4 to Emily Hoover and the No. 1 doubles team of Etchegaray and Zamilpa who lost 8-5 to Sarah Moses and Jennifer Payne.
Agustinput together a strong match at No. 4 but could not come out on top falling 6-3, 6-4.
Match 4 (Lewis & Clark; L, 5-1)
In the final match of the trip, rain forced the match-up to be called with the Pioneers leading 5-1. Zamilpa and Etchegaray pulled out a tight 9-8 (5) win at No. 1 doubles over Kacey Incerpi and Christine Eliazo that kept the Poets in the match at 2-1 but in singles, a quick three victories at No. 2, No. 3, and No. 4 would move Lewis & Clark to the decision.
Three matches were still on court when it was called. Zamilpa trailed 6-4, 4-3 at No. 1 against Summer Garrison, Laura Roston (Los Angeles, Calif.) trailed 6-1, 3-0 to Incerpi, and Ruthie Kaplan (Coto De Caza) trailed Glenna Gee-Taylor 6-0, 1-0.
