ORANGE, Calif. – Cal Lutheran women's tennis delivered a resilient performance on Saturday afternoon, bouncing back in conference play with a 4-3 victory over Chapman, highlighted by a clinching singles win from freshman
Grace Balasian.
The Panthers grabbed the early momentum by securing the doubles point, but the Regals (8-2, 1-1 SCIAC) answered with composure and grit in singles to take the tightly contested matchup.
Anya Rajan set the tone with a dominant 6-0, 6-4 win at No. 2, while
Kylee Limpias followed with a 6-2, 6-3 victory at the top spot to give Cal Lu its first lead of the afternoon. The duo also accounted for the Regals' lone doubles win with a 6-3 victory at No. 1.
Eva Toplak added another convincing performance at No. 6, cruising to a 6-2, 6-1 win to put CLU within one point of the match.
Chapman responded at No. 5, where
Anaya Ayanbadejo battled to a second-set tiebreak before falling, narrowing the team score to 3-2 and setting the stage for a dramatic finish.
With the match on the line, Balasian delivered. After dropping a tight opening set, the freshman rallied for a 5-7, 7-5, 6-2 victory at No. 4 to secure the match — a milestone moment marking her first collegiate clinch.
Evelyn Oltmans rounded out the afternoon with a three-set battle at No. 3 as the Regals showcased depth across the lineup.
Cal Lutheran returns home on Saturday, April 4, hosting No. 28 Caltech at 11 a.m. as SCIAC play continues.