SANTA BARBARA, Calif. – Cal Lutheran women's tennis opened the 2026 spring season by pushing NCAA Division II opponent Westmont College to the wire before falling 4-3 on Wednesday afternoon.

The Regals took an early lead by securing the doubles point, winning two of the three matches. Eva Toplak and Anaya Ayanbadejo earned a 6-3 victory at No. 3, while Evelyn Oltmans and Grace Balasian followed with a 6-3 win at No. 2 to clinch the opening point.

Westmont picked up its lone doubles win at No. 1 as Kylee Limpias and Anya Rajan fell 7-5 to the Warriors' Sabina Salva and Lauren Gee.

Cal Lutheran and Westmont traded points throughout singles play, setting up a tightly contested finish. The Regals earned singles victories at No. 1 and No. 6, as Limpias posted a 6-2, 6-2 win at the top spot and Toplak closed out a 6-3, 6-1 victory.

With the team score tied 3-3, the match came down to No. 4. Balasian battled through three sets, but Westmont's Ellie Triplett rallied for the deciding point to secure the 4-3 team result.

Cal Lutheran returns to action next weekend with a road trip to Oregon, beginning at Pacific University in Forest Grove on Friday, February 13 at 2 p.m.