Box Score By Jacob Norling
January 28, 2023
 
(LA MIRADA, Calif.) Westmont Men's Tennis (0-1) opened their season in La Mirada on Friday afternoon, when they battled former GSAC and future PacWest rival Biola. The Eagles of La Mirada defeated the Warriors to open Westmont's campaign, ultimately coming on top by a score of 5-0.
 
All-GSAC duo Ethan Ha and Logan Thompson got the Warriors off on the right foot in doubles, when they defeated Biola's Alexey Prokopchuk and Antonio Rosales Varona 6-4. Unfortunately for Westmont, the Warriors were not able to capitalize on the opportunity, losing on courts two and three to surrender the doubles point to Biola.
 
"As we often do, we were able to win on number one doubles," began Westmont head coach Mark Basham, "and on three we had a chance on doubles, but Benny and Santi played some tough opponents who pulled it out. Overall, though, I thought doubles were good. We played with good energy and good tempo and we almost pulled it out."
 
On two, Owen Vander Ark and Cody Ray Emery fell 6-2, and on three, Benny Saito and Santiago Tintore Ramon fell 6-4.
 
In singles the Eagles were clicking on all cylinders, as not one member of the Biola team necessitated a third set. All four of the matches to conclude in singles play ended in two sets, with Preston Hastings on court four the only Warrior to force a tiebreaker in any set.
 
The first singles match to finish was Thompson's on court one, where he fell 6-4, 6-2 to Prokopchuk. Next, on three, Ha fell 6-1, 7-5 to Adrian Solorzano, followed by Saito on six, who dropped a match to Isaac Cordova by a score of 6-2, 6-2.
 
Clinching victory for the Eagles on court four was Alex Sedeno, who defeated Vander Ark by a score of 6-4, 6-2.
 
"Overall, I thought this was a fairly good impression," reflected Basham. "The guys fought hard today, and we have an even tougher match tomorrow. It would be great to pull off a victory and regardless I hope to see our guys put up another tough battle.
 
The Warriors continue their GSAC reunion and PacWest previews with a match on Saturday against Point Loma. First serve is scheduled for 1:00 p.m.