SAN FRANCISCO – The No. 24 Point Loma women's tennis team got a battle from No. 22 Academy of Art in its first match of its PacWest road trip to the Bay Area, and unfortunately for the Sea Lions the rankings held true as they came out the wrong side of a 5-4 decision on Thursday, Mar. 9.
 
The win keeps ARTU perfect on the year at 7-0. The loss dropped Point Loma to 7-3.
 
In a match like this, it is so key to start off on the right foot and grab the early lead with doubles. Not only does it give the team points on the board but it builds momentum for every member of the winning side going into singles.
 
The Sea Lions had their work cut out for them at the No. 1 doubles spot as the Sea Lions' No. 23 ranked doubles team of Nikki Newell and Regina von Koch went up against the No. 5 doubles team in the country. The Academy of Art duo of Alma Thell-Lenntorp and Klara Thell-Lenntorp proved just too much for Newell and von Koch as they fell, 8-4.
 
Shelby and Taylor McGowan teamed up for the first time this season on court 2 and picked up an 8-3 win. McGowan is now 2-0 in doubles matches and Groeneveld is 8-2. ARTU picked up another win at No. 3 doubles to go into singles leading 2-1.
 
In singles, PLNU earned points on court 2 with von Koch (6-3, 6-1), on court 3 with Groeneveld (6-3, 6-1) and on court 5 with Michelle Torres (6-2, 6-7, 6-4). However, the Sea Lions could not capture the decisive fifth point need for the match victory.
 
PLNU will continue its road trip against Sonoma State on Friday, Mar. 10 at 10 a.m. 

#22 Academy of Art University 5, #24 Point Loma 4
Mar 09, 2017 at San Francisco, Calif. (The Bay Club) 
Singles competition
1. Monika Stanikova (AAU-WT) def. #25 Nikki Newell (PLNU-WT) 6-2, 6-3
2. Regina von Koch (PLNU-WT) def. Annika Schneider (AAU-WT) 6-3, 6-1
3. Shelby Groeneveld (PLNU-WT) def. Maria Andrisani (AAU-WT) 6-2, 6-2
4. #34 Klara Thell-Lenntorp (AAU-WT) def. Taylor McGowan (PLNU-WT) 6-2, 6-3
5. Michelle Torres (PLNU-WT) def. Paula Alcantara (AAU-WT) 6-2, 6-7, 6-4
6. #48 Alma Thell-Lenntorp (AAU-WT) def. Ellie Gamble (PLNU-WT) 5-7, 6-1, 6-2

Doubles competition
1. #5 Alma Thell-Lenntorp/Klara Thell-Lenntorp (AAU-WT) def. #23 Nikki Newell/Regina von Koch (PLNU-WT) 8-4
2. Shelby Groeneveld/Taylor McGowan (PLNU-WT) def. Taisiia Andrieieva/Annika Schneider (AAU-WT) 8-3
3. Monika Stanikova/Paula Alcantara (AAU-WT) def. Michelle Torres/Ellie Gamble (PLNU-WT) 8-6

Match Notes
Point Loma 8-2; National ranking #24; Regional ranking #6
Academy of Art University 7-0; National ranking #22; Regional ranking #4
T-3:30 A-20