By Jacob Norling
February 15, 2025
 
(FRESNO, Calif.) Westmont Women's Tennis is on the board in 2025 after defeating the Fresno Pacific Sunbirds 4-3 on the road on Saturday afternoon. It came down to the wire, where Westmont's number-five got to be the hero before a happy ride home to Santa Barbara.
 
It all started in doubles where the Warriors won a crucial first-point thanks to their two's and three's. On three, Justie Spitzer and Francesca Aguirre won 6-0, and on two, Liska Knight and Sophia Ostovany outlasted their opponents 6-4. In singles, three of the first four decisions went to the Sunbirds, with Sabina Salva's 6-2, 6-1 win at six being the Warriors lone success up that point.
 
Westmont needed both three and five to go their way, with Lauren Gee's eventual 6-2, 6-2 win on three making Spitzer's match on five the must-watch event of the evening. After winning 6-3, Spitzer dropped set two 6-4 to force a winner-take-all tiebreaker in set three. After a hot start, Spitzer was able to finish off Malia Mitchell 6-3 to win her match, and to win the overall match for the Warriors.
 
A year ago, Fresno Pacific beat Westmont 4-0 in Santa Barbara. This time, the Warriors won it 4-3 in Fresno.
 
"This was huge for us," said Westmont head coach Cade Pierson. "It started in doubles, doubles was huge. We do not win this match without winning in doubles. Our three's cruised and took care of business. They were in steady control. Then our two's were tested, but they played a really clean match. I was really proud of how they stepped up and performed to their potential. In a lot of ways, that's what won us the overall match.
 
"In singles, it was a fight on every court. Sabina cruised at six. She just took care of business there. Sophia and Frenchy didn't get the win at one and two, but I was still proud of how they competed. Lauren and Justie were really the heroes today. Justie obviously stands out, as the clincher. She really turned it around and got off to a great start in the third. She was tested, held strong, and stayed really focused. This win really speaks to her emotional maturity and how she has grown mentally as a player."
 
Pierson continued, "This result is huge. We have played so many of the top teams in the conference to start, and it can be easy to feel like you're in a pattern of not winning. Then a day like today, where you see you're in a match, there's pressure that can come with that opportunity. I've seen us struggle with that pressure in the past. Today, the girls stayed in the moment. They trusted the process and trusted themselves, and we're obviously really excited with this one. It should be a good drive home."