LA JOLLA - The Sea Lions went on the road to face UC San Diego in an important regional match. Point Loma was just outside of the top four teams that will qualify for the regional tournament when the first NCAA rankings were released. The team needs a solid close to the season if they hope to secure a spot in postseason play. 

Point Loma put up a solid effort but the Tritons proved to be too much for the Sea Lions to overcome. The team fell 8-1 with their only win coming at No. 3 doubles. Nikki Newell and Ellie Gamble took their match 8-1 to get the first win of the day but it would be all Tritons from there. UCSD won both one and two doubles to lead 2-1 heading into singles play. 

UCSD swept singles play but not without some great battles from Point Loma. The top three singles matches all featured ranked matchups but it was the Tritons who came away victorious in each of those matches. Michelle Torres fell in three sets to drop her first singles match in her last nine competitions.  Gabi Armas also put up a great effort in her match but fell in three sets for only her second singles loss of the season. 

Team Records
Point Loma 15-5, UC San Diego 11-9

News and Notes
> Nikki Newell and Ellie Gamble are 6-0 since partnering for doubles.
> The Sea Lions were currently ranked fifth in the NCAA West regional rankings. 
> Newell is ranked in singles play for the first time this season
> This is the second time the team has been swept in singles play this season. 

Up Next
The Sea Lions are back at home on Saturday when they host Biola at 11 a.m.  

#16 UC San Diego 8, #28 Point Loma 1
Singles competition
1. #21 Ashley Chao (UCSD) def. #53 Nikki Newell (PLNU-WT) 7-5, 6-2
2. #55 Becky Chou (UCSD) def. #17 Carolina Cuevas (PLNU-WT) 6-4, 6-4
3. #40 Alexandra Weil (UCSD) def. #54 Shelby Groenveld (PLNU-WT) 7-6 (9-7), 5-7, 10-7
4. Jasmine Hosseini (UCSD) def. Gabi Armas (PLNU-WT) 6-4, 3-6, 6-3
5. Valeria Corral (UCSD) def. Ellie Gamble (PLNU-WT) 6-2, 6-2
6. Chloe Wight (UCSD) def. Michelle Torres (PLNU-WT) 3-6, 6-0, 6-3

Doubles competition
1. #30 Ashley Chao/Becky Chou (UCSD) def. Shelby Groenveld/Michelle Torres (PLNU-WT) 8-2
2. Madison Hale/Alexandra Weil (UCSD) def. Gabi Armas/Carolina Cuevas (PLNU-WT) 8-6
3. Ellie Gamble/Nikki Newell (PLNU-WT) def. Nousha Nowamooz/Chloe Wight (UCSD) 8-1

Match Notes:
Point Loma 15-5; National ranking #28; Regional ranking #7
UC San Diego 11-9; National ranking #16; Regional ranking #3
Order of finish: Doubles (3,1,2); Singles (5,1,2,6,4,3)