It was a tough conference opening weekend as the Whitworth women’s tennis team fell to George Fox and Lewis and Clark.   

Against George Fox, Whitworth won all of their doubles matches but only managed to win one of six singles matches falling with a score of 5-4.

Against Lewis and Clark, Whitworth won only one doubles match and two singles matches and lost with a score of 6-3.

Even though the team lost both matches, one highlight emerged as senior Bella Hoyos beat one of the top players in the conference, Wiktoria Plawska, by a total of 6-3 and 6-1.

“As an individual, it gives myself confidence to see that I can play with the top players and win,” Hoyos said. “I think my win will pump the team up and show what is to come in conference.”

The Whitworth women will continue conference play on Saturday, Feb. 25, as they head to Walla Walla to face Whitman University. Whitman is a tough opponent as they are currently undefeated in conference play.

Whitman is projected to finish second this year in conference, right behind Lewis and Clark.

“We are focusing on team aspect this year,” Hoyos said. “We will go into next week against Whitman with an attitude that we can win.”

After traveling to Whitman, the Whitworth women will be back at home taking on Pacific University and Willamette University.

Pacific University is projected to finish one place higher than Whitworth in 5th place and  Willamette is predicted to finish in last place by Northwest Conference coaches.