By Jacob Norling
February 26, 2025
 
(SANTA BARBARA, Calif.) For the first time since April of 2019, Westmont Women's Tennis has won four in a row. The Warriors' latest victim was the Cal St LA Eagles, the second team during this winning streak that Westmont is competing with for an opportunity to play in the postseason.
 
"We've lost to that team closely whenever we've played them the last couple years," reflected Westmont head coach Cade Pierson. "That's technically the match that kept us from qualifying last year, so we really came into this once prepared and really looking forward to it."
 
In doubles as of late, the Warriors have relied heavily on the heroics on their court two and three doubles teams. Today, however, Lauren Gee and Johanna Winkler took care of things on one with a 6-4 win. On three, Justie Spitzer and Francesca Aguirre put it away by a score of 6-2.
 
"Our three's were solid, and I was really happy to see our one's get the win there," said Pierson. "Obviously, they're in the toughest position and they've lost some really close matches. I think it was great to see them be challenged, be steady, and get the win."
 
In singles, Aguirre enjoyed a red-hot day, when the senior defeated Hideka Takamura 6-2, 6-2 on line one. On four, Winkler made quick work of Summer Roybal as well, with Johanna winning the match 6-3, 6-2. On six, Sabina Salva got the job done as well, defeating Charlotte Downs 6-0, 6-3.
 
After the match was clinched, Lauren Gee put a bow on the afternoon, when she outlasted Lea Rolland 6-3, 3-6, 6-4 on court three.
 
"We talked a lot today about doing our jobs," began Pierson. "We kind of compared the performance of playing to the performance of theatre, and acting. If you make a mistake, the show goes on. A mistake on the court doesn't make you an understudy. If you make a mistake, the show is still going, and you've got to move on and keep going.
 
"We did that really well in doubles today, with everyone remaining really confident. In singles, it was great to see Frenchy get a big win at one, especially with her family there supporting her. Lauren's grit was really on show as well."
 
Pierson continued, "Sticking with our theatre analogy, singles can feel a little bit more like improv. In singles, the job changes and you can't say die, you can't say no. Singles are really a 'yes, and', kind of experience. Today, our players responded with that mindset. It was 'yes, and' hit a winner, it was 'yes, and' what's next. There was a lot of great competition out there today."
 
Westmont will go for five in a row on Thursday in Santa Barbara, when the Warriors host the Concordia Golden Eagles at 11:00 a.m.