NEWBERG, Ore. – The George Fox Women's tennis team returned to the Multi-Use Facility on Saturday to host non-conference opponent UC Santa Cruz. After jumping out to a 3-0 lead, Fox ended up losing to the 37th ranked Banana Slugs, 6-3.

How It Happened 
The Bruins came out hot, sweeping the doubles matches. The number two team of Kylie Hull and Cassey Hitch were able to win their match easily, 8-3. On court one, Riley Bobkiewicz and Kalli Wiker were next to win their matchup against the number one team from UCSC. The duo of Shanah Denham and Arianna Radar would wrap up the sweep. The two were able to beat their opponents, 8-6. Fox would take a 3-0 lead into the singles matches. 

The Banana Slugs would not go away easily, coming out and winning all six of the first sets in singles. The Bruins would need to fight back to be able to get the win. For the number one singles, Kalli Wiker would fight to get multiple games from her opponent but would lose both sets, 6-3. Riley Bobkiewicz faced a tough challenge against Natalie Sprenger in the number two position; Bobkiewicz would lose, 6-2, 6-0. The lone Bruin to win a set in singles was Elizabeth Cook. Cook would lose the first set, 6-2, before coming up with the second set win, 6-4. She would fight in the second set, losing a close one 6-4. Kylie Hull would drop the first set of her match, 6-0. Hull found herself in a tight second set, forcing her opponent to win, 7-6 (7-2). In another close contest, Arianna Rader went back and forth in the first set, ultimately losing the set, 7-6 (7-2). Rader wouldn't be able to come back, losing, 7-6, 6-1. In the number six spot was Sophie Denham; she lost her matchup, 6-2, 6-1. 

Coach's Thoughts
"This was a great match for us to find out who we are as a team and I thought the girls responded well!" said Bruin head coach Rick Cruz, "Santa Cruz is a top 40 team and we proved we can compete at a high level; especially in doubles. It would have been nice to pull off the upset but there was a lot to build from moving forward."

What Comes Next
The Bruins continue their stretch of home matches next Saturday when they host another non-conference opponent in the College of Idaho. That match is set to begin at 10:00 a.m.