SAN DIEGO - After beginning the season with two tough contest against Div. I opponents, the Sea Lions hosted the Hawks of San Diego Christian in their home opener and earned an 8-1 win. PLNU started the match going 2-1 in doubles and finished out with a sweep of singles competition for a solid all-around victory. 

Michelle Torres and Nicole Camaratta set the tone for the match with a big win over Paula Vasquez and Miriam Boeta in the No. 3 slot. The Sea Lions would grab a win at the No. 2 slot as well, but the No. 1 pairing from San Diego Christian would earn the team their only point of the day. 

Camaratta would continue her dominant play in singles competition taking her No.5 match 6-1, 6-2 over Vasquez. The team was without Nikki Newell in singles competition which required each of their regular lineup players to play a spot above their normal matchup. Freshman, Gabi Armas would step into the No. 6 match for PLNU and played well taking her match 6-1, 6-0. 
 
Team Records
Point Loma 2-1, San Diego Christian 1-1
 
Wheeler's Words
On the home opener: "We started the year with two super difficult road matches, which was great experience for the girls, but they we definitely excited for our first home match. It was expecially exciting for our new players, two of the got to play today and they both did really well."
 
On the team being ready to play: "I talk about staying ready all of the time. Tennis is different from many sports because you are either in the lineup or out of the lineup. It can be difficult to not be in the initial lineup and continuing to stay ready. Gabi did a great job today of being ready, she prepared as if she was going to play and when we needed her to step in she was ready and played some great tennis."
 
On singles: "The match was very similar to the guys match yesterday. We took doubles 2-1 with a couple of them being close. When we got to singles I think our talent really showed. We got a couple of quick wins at the five and six spots, but the outher four courts were all pretty competitive matches. We did a great job of finishing those competitive matches and playing confident tennis."
 
On the rivalry with APU: "The last few years we have consistently split with APU. We have lost at their place and been able to win when they come to us. This year we play them at their place first and if we could grab a win there it would give us a big advantage for when they come play us on our home turf. A big goal for our women's team will be to go up and get a win at APU on Saturday. They have a tough team and we always play them close, so it will come down to who will play better that day." 
 
News and Notes
> This was the first appearance for Armas on the season
> This was Groeneveld's second straight match she has played a tiebreak in her singles match
> This was the third straight season that PLNU has won its home opener
 
Up Next
The Sea Lions travel to Azusa on Saturday to take on PacWest rival Azusa Pacific, the women begin play at 10 a.m.
 
Point Loma 8, San Diego Christian 1
Singles competition
1. Carolina Cuevas Bucio (PLNU-WT) def. Sarah Schaerer (SDC) 6-3, 6-3
2. Shelby Groeneveld (PLNU-WT) def. Sarah Urbanek (SDC) 6-3, 4-6, 10-4
3. Ellie Gamble (PLNU-WT) def. Aleksandra Emelianova (SDC) 6-1, 7-6
4. Michelle Torres (PLNU-WT) def. Nadine Geschke (SDC) 6-7, 6-3, 10-5
5. Nicole Camaratta (PLNU-WT) def. Paula Vasquez (SDC) 6-1, 6-2
6. Gabi Armas (PLNU-WT) def. Miriam Boeta (SDC) 6-1, 6-0
 
Doubles competition
1. Sarah Schaerer/Sarah Urbanek (SDC) def. Nikki Newell/Carolina Cuevas Bucio (PLNU-WT) 8-6
2. Ellie Gamble/Shelby Groeneveld (PLNU-WT) def. Aleksandra Emelionova/Nadine Geschke (SDC) 8-6
3. Michelle Torres/Nicole Camaratta (PLNU-WT) def. Paula Vasquez/Miriam (SDC) Boeta 8-1