Photo: Kelly Young
The Occidental Women's Tennis Team recently completed an undefeated Spring Break trip to Orlando, FL where they went 4-0. The trip was highlighted by a back and forth 5-4 win over regional opponent Hardin-Simmons. Seniors Andei Fukushige, Sarah Fleming, and Emma Silber all went undefeated in their matches over the course of the trip.
The Tigers started out their match against Hardin-Simmons with singles play due to rain on the forecast. Fleming, Silber, and sophomore Julia Chun all picked up straight set victories to put the Tigers ahead 3-0. After Hardin-Simmons won the next two matches, all eyes turned to Fukushige's match at number one singles. Trailing 6-4,5-3, Fukushige battled back to claim a thrilling 4-6,7-5,6-0 victory and give the Tigers the 4-2 lead heading into doubles play. Fukushige and Fleming then clinched the Tiger victory when they defeated their opponents at number one doubles 8-4.
In their other matches in Orlando, the Tigers won a doubleheader on Sunday, March 12th defeating College of St. Scholastica 8-1 and Stevens Institute of Technology 8-1. The Tigers closed out the trip on Tuesday, March 14th with a 6-1 victory over Franklin and Marshall. Junior Alexis Matabuena fought off three match points down 5-2 in the second set to come back and win her match at number three singles 4-6,7-6,6-2.
The Tigers return to action on Friday, March 24th at home against Pacific University (Oregon).
