Leopards Defeat Caltech In SCIAC Regular Season Finale

The University of La Verne women's tennis team earned its first conference win of the season in its final regular season match by posting a 7-2 home triumph over the Beavers of Caltech on Saturday.

La Verne began by sweeping the Beavers in doubles play. Lila Luna and Tarika Krishnamurthy defeated Rebekah Kitto and Jessica Yu 8-3 at the #1 position. At the #2 spot Allison Moncrief and Valerie Lezin came out on top as they beat the Caltech duo of Stephanie Kwan and Wubing Ye. The Leopards completed the sweep as Carly Tucker and Justine Ledesma beat Caltech's tandem of Cici Li and Jessica Yeung at #3.

With the tone set in doubles play, the Leopards did not back off as they went 4-2 in singles play. After being pushed into the third set by Jessica Yu, Krishnamurthy came out victorious 1-6, 6-3, 1-0 (3). Moncrief also got a win against Caltech's Stephanie Kwan, beating her in straight sets 6-2, 6-2.

After losing the first set, the Leopards' Arielle Monteilh battled back winning the next two sets and the match against Jessica Yeung 1-6,6-0, 6-0.  Tucker was also contributed with her win, beating the Beaver's Michelle Tang in straight sets, 6-4, 6-2.

"Caltech had a lot of fight and we had to figure out how to adjust," said Leopards head coach Yolanda Duron. "We did a great job adjusting and that's how we won."

La Verne finished 1-6 in conference play and will take part in next weekend's SCIAC Championships held April 22-23 in Pasadena.