LA MIRADA, Calif. --- With an added day of rest behind them after yesterday's cancelation Biola Women's Tennis got off to a great start to the Golden State Athletic Conference season with a 9-0 win over Hope International on Saturday afternoon.
 
The Royals only brought four players with them to the Biola Tennis Center, which made the afternoon a bit quicker than normal as only four singles matches and two doubles matches were able to be played.
 
"We seemed to play well right off the bat," said Head Coach David Goodman. "The doubles matches were competitive, but we seem to play the big points well."
 
Doubles were played first as the men's match was still going on as the ladies began at just after noon.  Madeline Heer and Kelsey Post put together a convincing victory at No. 1 doubles on one of the main middle courts. They beat their opponents 6-4 and were the first to be off the court.

The more competitive doubles match was at No. 2 where Lauren Lee and Brooke Sanford had to gut out an 8-6 victory in order to hold HIU without a win. The pair's composure at the make-or-break points made all the difference in their ability to come away with a narrow win.
 
After doubles concluded the Eagles carried their 3-0 lead into the singles matches and essentially clinched the win already with two wins by default at No. 5 and No. 6 singles.
 
"In singles we played some very solid tennis," said Goodman. "Maddie, at No. 1, stepped up her game to a higher level today. She was able to adapt her playing style for a higher level."
 
Heer was one of two Eagles to keep their opponent without a game win in at least one of her sets. All of Biola's players earned straight-set victories in cruising to singles dominance.
 
Heer had the closest set of the day in a 6-4 first set victory. Her ability to step it up into a gear just a bit higher than her opponent was the keep to getting the sweep. After gaining the confidence of that close victory she came out and worked a 6-0 set two win.
 
Lauren Lee, at the No. 3 spot, was the other Eagle to win a set 6-0. She won her first collegiate conference match 6-0; 6-1 in a fantastic display of tennis.
 
Brooke Sanford (No. 2) and Tinisee Kandakai (No. 4) were the other Eagles to earn singles wins on the afternoon. It was Kandakai's first victory after being a late add to the team.
 
"It feels great for us to start this conference schedule with a win," said Goodman.
 
Biola improves to 2-1 (1-0 GSAC), while Hope International falls to 0-1 (0-1 GSAC). Women's Tennis continues its season this Thursday at 2:00 p.m. as they host NCAA Division II Dixie State.