LA MIRADA, Calif. - Coming off of a big win over Cal State LA at home on Friday, the Sea Lions headed to take on Biola on Saturday. With a tough competition day on Friday, Coach Wheeler took the opportunity to give some of his regular lineup to rest, adding new faces to the lineup against Biola. 

The team began with doubles play, which saw new pairings at each position. Taylor McGowan made her season debut with partner Ellie Gamble in the one spot, the pair earning an 8-4 win. Gabi Armas saw her first doubles play of the season with partner Carolina Cuevas Bucio, and freshman Madison McKay played at the number three position with partner Nikki Newell. Each pair came away with a win to give PLNU a 3-0 advantage heading into singles play. 

Point Loma came away with all six singles matches, five of those in straight sets. Cuevas Bucio earned the first singles win, finishing her match 6-1, 6-0. Ellie Gamble would clinch the match for the Sea Lions with a win playing at the No. 3 position, 6-2, 6-1.
 
Team Records
Point Loma 4-2, Biola 0-5
 
Wheeler's Words
On doubles: "We had three new doubles pairings today which can always be challenging when the girls are playing with different partners. There can be a lack of experience with a new partner but I expect that anyone on my team can play with any of their teammates. They did a great job og coming together and playing successfully today."

On singles: "We did a good job of being ready to go and we were able to win a few matches quickly. There were some close matches but we found ways to win in the end."

On getting new players on the court: "Taylor and Madison did a great job today, it is never easy to not be playing in matches consistently and then be asked to go out and compete. They did a great job of being ready when I called their name and they went out and played their game. They had great effort, great attitudes and great focus."

On playing back-to-back days: "It was a great test for us early in the season to be playing on back-to-back days. When we get to the conference championships in April there is the possibility that we could play four days in a row in tough conditions. It was great to be able to see the ladies bounce back after a hard-fought win yesterday. It isn't just physically difficult to do, but it is also mentally difficult and the team did a great job of refocusing on the challenge at hand and get a good win."
 
News and Notes
> McKay, Armas, and McGowan each made their first appearance in doubles for the Sea Lions. 
> All three doubles pairings were new for Point Loma. 
> McGowan won her first singles match of the season, she went 17-9 last season in singles play. 
 
Up Next
The Sea Lions will be on the road once more next week as they head to Irvine to face the Concordia Eagles on Wednesday, Feb. 21, at 2 p.m.
 
Point Loma 7, Biola 2
Singles competition
1. Nikki Newell (PLNU-WT) def. Esther Lee (BU) 4-6, 6-3, 10-1
2. Carolina Cueva Bucio (PLNU-WT) def. Madison Swaney (BU) 6-0, 6-1
3. Ellie Gamble (PLNU-WT) def. Tinisee Kandakai (BU) 6-2, 6-1
4. Gabi Armas (PLNU-WT) def. Lauren Lee (BU) 6-3, 6-3
5. Taylor McGowan (PLNU-WT) def. Allison Torres (BU) 6-3, 7-5
6. Nicole Camaratta (PLNU-WT) def. Lily Waterhouse (BU) 6-2, 6-2

Doubles competition
1. Ellie Gamble/Taylor McGowan (PLNU-WT) def. Esther Lee/Lily Waterhouse (BU) 8-4
2. Carolina Cueva Bucio/Gabi Armas (PLNU-WT) def. Madison Swaney/Lauren Lee (BU) 8-3
3. Nikki Newell/Madison McKay (PLNU-WT) def. Allison Torres/Tinisee Kandakai (BU) 8-5