By Tim Heiduk
 
(SAN DIEGO) Westmont women's tennis concluded its participation at the ITA NAIA West Regional with one doubles team advancing to the semifinals, one Warrior competing in the main draw singles quarterfinals and two others playing in the consolation bracket singles quarterfinals.
 
In the women's doubles quarterfinals, the fourth-seeded duo of Rachal Jackson and Olivia Madarang defeated Westmont teammates Emily Peterson and Sidney Lowry, the fifth seed, 8-4. Jackson and Madarang then fell short in the semifinals against the top seed, Sarah Urbanek and Angela Rinaldi of San Diego Christian, 4-8.
 
Jackson was the last Warrior standing in the main draw of singles as the sixth seed, but she lost her quarterfinal match against third-seeded Rinaldi: 5-7, 0-6.
 
Ana Negri and Logan Jackson competed in the singles consolation bracket, with both receiving first-round byes. Negri, the fourth seed, lost her quarterfinal match to San Diego Christian's Angelika Sidirov, the fifth seed, 5-8. Logan Jackson, seeded sixth, also dropped her quarterfinal match, falling to third-seeded Sydney Smyth of Arizona Christian, 3-8.
 
"The team took advantage of the opportunity to compete," Westmont head coach Ellie Johnson said. "As expected, we were not as prepared mentally or physically to compete at our highest level. I am proud of the players' composure and their ability to control what they could and let go of what they could not."
 
The tournament marked the first time the full team was together since its 2020 season was canceled due to the outbreak of COVID-19.
 
"We weren't able to have a full-team practice going into the tournament but had a few small group practices," Johnson said. "The lack of practice and competition over the last few months was evident in the team's serving and overall positioning. We would set the point up well, but make an unnecessary error or miss the execution."
 
To ensure the safety of all tournament participants, Johnson said that everyone was screened, had their temperature taken and were required to wear masks when they were not playing.
 
The Warriors will now return to campus and resume their preparations for the spring season.