SANTA BARBARA, Calif. – Cal Lutheran junior Rubina Copano got her first win of the season as the women's tennis team took on the Westmont Warriors on Thursday afternoon. The Warriors took the rest of the points and won the dual 6-1.

"Rubina is on her way to being the comeback player of the year as she won her first match of the year in the starting lineup," said tennis head coach Mike Gennette. "Her forehand was on fire! Look for her to be a game changer for the Regals as we get deeper into the season." 

The dual started with doubles play and two matches went to a super set tiebreaker. The Regals came up just short at the No. 1 with Carolina Groff Hinojosa and Brennan Foreman (7-6 (6)) and then at the No. 2 with Heidi Levanen and Joslin Seaberg (7-6 (4)). Jordan Buck and Sophia Gawrit were also close at the No. 3 as they lost 7-5. The Warriors took a 1-0 lead to singles play.

Copano impressed at the No. 6 spot, scoring the lone point for the Regals. She won her match 6-4, 6-4.

The five other singles spots were also decided in straight sets. Henna Levanen fell at the No. 1 (6-1, 6-3), Groff Hinojosa lost at the No. 2 (6-0, 6-1), Buck was defeated at the No. 3 (6-0, 6-0), Hei. Levanen came up short at the No. 4 (7-5, 6-1) and Seaberg fell at the No. 5 (6-2, 6-2). 

After three duals on the road, the Regals return home and host Division II Concordia-Irvine on Saturday at 1:30 p.m.  

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Release by Ryan Jorgenson, Sports Information Director