LA HABRA, Calif. --- After having to begin its Golden State Athletic Conference schedule with the team that's been picked by most to win the conference, Biola Men's Tennis got to meet a slightly less imposing second opponent on Tuesday.
 
The Eagles traveled to the La Habra Tennis Center for a match with the Hope International Royals and came away with a 7-2 victory to improve to 2-2 (1-1 GSAC) in the 2016 season.
 
The Royals only had five players in their lineup, so BU got wins at No. 3 doubles and No. 6 singles by default. The two teams split the two doubles matches that were played, while Biola took four of the five singles matches in a dominant display.

"It was an up and down day today," said Head Coach Brent Worthington. "We came out with low energy and pretty flat in doubles. We were fortunate to be ahead 2-1 after because we really didn't play very well."

Joe Turnquist and Philip Westwood earned an 8-6 victory over HIU's No. 2 doubles pairing to improve to 2-2 on the season and 1-1 in conference play. The duo avenges a trying 9-7 loss during their first doubles match of the conference season.
 
Biola had the edge throughout the afternoon in all the singles play. Westwood and Turnquist took straight-set victories at No. 1 and No. 4 singles.
 
Lucas Lee and Luke Mountain had to battle a bit more on the dry, warm and windy afternoon in La Habra. They each got wins in their singles matches at No. 2 and No. 3, but they both had to play a third set to earn the victory.
 
Mountain won his first set handily at 6-3 before dropping the second one by the same score line. He maintained his composure well to clinch the match with a decisive 6-2 victory in the third set.
 
Lee got behind the eight ball immediately with a 6-4 loss in his opening set. A gutsy go at it in the middle set helped him force the third with a 7-5 victory. After getting it to three there was no stopping him a 6-3 clincher.

"I was on the team today after our doubles and really pushed them to respond better in singles," said Worthington. "They did just exactly that. We won 5 out of 6 singles and played much better so I was really proud of the effort and our ability to finish well. I was especially proud of our top 3 players today in singles."
 
Hope International falls to 0-2 (0-2 GSAC) with the loss. They too had a tough draw in their season-opening match, losing 0-9 to No. 15 Westmont. Biola gets back home for its next match as it hosts Holy Names for a noon match this Friday.
 
BOX SCORE:
1. Adrien Varenne/Anthony Sena def. Lucas Lee/Luke Mountain – 8-5
2. Philip Westwood/Joe Turnquist def. Mauricio Mosquera/Andy Rivas – 8-6
3. Biola wins by default
1. Philip Westwood def. Mauricio Mosquera – 7-5; 6-1
2. Lucas Lee def. Adrien Varenne – 4-6; 7-5; 6-3
3. Luke Mountain def. Anthony Sena – 6-3; 3-6; 6-2
4. Joe Turnquist def. Andy Rivas – 6-1; 6-1
5. Michael Maiolo def. David Garcia – 0-6; 6-2; retired
6. Biola wins by default