LA MIRADA, Calif. --- A 3-0 lead coming out of doubles competition was just enough to keep Biola Women's Tennis one step ahead of Caltech in a 5-4 win in its 2016 season-opener.
 
Head Coach Dee Henry's squad took 8-1, 8-5 and 8-6 victories in No. 1, No. 2 and No. 3 doubles to open the first match of the year on a windy, sunny afternoon at the Biola Tennis Center.
 
Madeline Heer and Kelsey Post earned a decisive win at the No. 1 spot in defeating Sophia Chen and Erin Wang 8-1. Susan Carmichael and Kathryn Ashford earned an 8-5 victory at No. 2 doubles, while the closes doubles match went 8-6 in favor of Katie Boesl and Brook Sanford.
 
This was Boesl's first NAIA match for the Eagles.

Singles was a bit more challenging for Henry's squad. Heer earned her first victory of the season by taking the No. 2 match in straight sets (6-4; 6-3), but she was the only Eagle to win outright in singles. Heer's victory was the fifth singles match to finish and secured the 5-4 win.
 
It was a win by Susan Carmichael at the No. 3 spot that made the difference in Biola's slim victory.. She was awarded the victory when he opponent Kana Moriyama retired after winning the first set 6-1.
 
The victory marks Biola Women's Tennis first victory over Caltech since the opening match of the 2011 season. The Eagles also got a 5-4 win that time out. It is also the first time the program has started 1-0 since 2011.
 
Biola moves to 1-0 on the season while the visiting Beavers fall to 0-2 overall. The Eagles move right into Golden State Athletic Competition on Saturday with a 10:00 a.m. home match against San Diego Christian. The matches played on court two can be viewed live at http://portal.stretchinternet.com/biola/.