By: Seth Preuss
Box Score SPOKANE, Wash. --- George Fox opened its 2022 Northwest Conference schedule with a hard-fought 5-4 loss to the Whitworth Pirates on the road on Saturday, Mar. 5.
How It Happened
The Pirates got an early edge in the match with a 2-1 result from doubles play, but the Bruins were eventually able to battle back and tie the match at 3-3 in singles. The Bruins' tandem of Olivia Morris and Kalli Wiker came away as winners for Fox in doubles in the second flight, 8-6.
Danielle Brown fought her way through a tiebreak scenario and outdueled her opponent in a 3-6, 7-5, 7-5 final to claim a well-earned victory.
Wiker earned a win in singles as well with a 7-5, 6-4 final at the third singles flight. Brenna VanderYacht was the last Bruin to record a victory with a 6-3, 6-3 result at the no. 6 singles matchup. Morris fought well but wasn't able to come away with a win in a tiebreak, 3-6, 6-3, 3-6. Emily McDonald also fought hard in a tiebreak and was just shy of a win in a 4-6, 6-4, 2-6 end result at the fifth singles flight.
The Pirates took three of the six singles matchups to claim the win, 5-4, on their home courts.Â
What It Means
Fox falls to 4-2 overall and is 0-1 in conference action to start its 2022 conference schedule while the Pirates improve to 2-3 and are now 1-1 in conference play.
Up Next
The Bruins finish the NWC opening weekend in Walla Walla on Sunday against Whitman.