CLAREMONT, CA. – The Pomona-Pitzer women's tennis program kicked off the new season with a big 8-1 home victory over Bates College on Friday evening. The Sagehens made quick work of the Bobcats, gaining a quick advantage in the doubles before sweeping through singles without dropping a set.

Maryann Zhao and Emily Chen showed no signs of rust, winning their No. 1 doubles match over Maisie Silverman and Bella Stone with an 8-2 victory. Summer Garrison impressed in her collegiate debut in doubles alongside Rebecca Salaway, winning their No. 3 doubles match 8-1. Unfortunately, Caroline Casper and Shivani Doraiswami dropped their No. 2 doubles match, losing by a close margin, 8-6.

The Sagehens looked to close the match early, coming out with a convincing sweep through singles. Casper bounced back in No. 1 singles, taking her match 6-3 and 6-1. Garrison continued her impressive debut, dropping only a single game, winning 6-1 and 6-0 in her No. 2 singles match. Over in the No. 3, Doraiswami took a convincing 6-3 win in the first set, but had to battle to seal her match with a 6-4 win in the second set. Emily Chen won No. 4 singles 6-2 and 6-1 while Salaway took care of her No. 5 singles match 6-1 and 6-2. Freshman Jacinta Chen made quick work in her No. 6 singles match, winning with a pair of 6-1 sets.

Up Next:  The Sagehens will hit the road to compete in the ITA National Indoors on Friday, March 2. They will follow up with a home match against Carnegie Mellon on Saturday, March 10.