MORAGA, Calif. – After their midweek match against Long Beach State was called off due to rain, the Gaels will hope the weather holds off as they face off against LMU on Friday and Pepperdine on Saturday.
 
THE DETAILS
LMU Lions (6-6) at Saint Mary's Gaels (5-6)
Friday, March 31 at 2 PM
Korth Tennis Courts – Moraga, Calif.
 
Pepperdine Waves (10-2) at Saint Mary's Gaels (5-6)
Saturday, April 1 at 11 AM
Korth Tennis Courts – Moraga, Calif. 
 
LAST TIME OUT
The Gaels won three of the singles matches, but a slow start in doubles ultimately cost SMC as USF won 4-2.
 
USF were ready for the fight however, as they were able to claim the vital doubles point over Saint Mary's.
 
Stefanie Silva and Iman Khan were unable to build momentum, as the Dons pairing of Caragh Courtney Chiho Mushika were able to win the match 6-1. 
 
Olivia Rook and Tian Yu Dong faced a similar fate, as Rita Colyer and Arianna Capogrosso were able to beat the young Gaels duo 6-1.
 
Jordan Harris and Lene Mari Hovda were all-square at four games apiece when the match was called off due to a player injury. 
 
Jordan Harris played lights out in her singles match, as she confidently beat USF's Maria Martinez Vaquero. Harris was placing the ball all over the court, expertly winning the match 6-3, 6-2. 
 
Senior Lene Mari Hovda won her singles match in a dramatic three sets as she took on USF's
Chiho Mushika. After Hovda claimed the first set 6-4, Mushika battled back to win the second 6-4 herself. In the third set the two went toe to toe, as the match came down to a tiebreak. Tied at six games each, Hovda pulled through to win 7-6. 
 
In the #3 match, Olivia Rook played well but was unable to finish. After winning the first set in a 7-6 tiebreak, the USF's Caragh Courtney was able to win the second 7-5. The match was called off in the third set, with Courtney leading the set 3-1.
 
Freshman Iman Khan faced off against a difficult opponent in Simran Chhabra. Chhabra played well from the first serve and didn't allow the Gael to get into the match as it finished 6-4.
 
Tian Yu Dong played Arianna Capogrosso in the #5 match. After Capogrosso won the first set 6-4, Dong did her best to fight back in the second, but the Dons player hung on to win 7-5.
 
Stefanie Silva played a great match against Hana Gamracy, but her comeback came up just a bit short. After dropping the first set 6-2, Silva battled back in the second to win 6-4. Gamracy was able to get off to a quick start in the third, holding off Silva in the end to win 6-3. The match victory clinched the overall win for the home team. 
 
ABOUT LMU 
The Lions head to Moraga at an even 6-6 on the season, having lost their last two of three to ranked opponents. After beating Princeton 4-2, the Lions faced off against the #39 University of San Diego where they lost 5-2. They then took on #5 Pepperdine, who didn't give LMU a chance, winning 7-0. Head Coach Agustin Moreno is in his eighth season in charge of the program. 
 
ABOUT PEPPERDINE
The Waves enter their matchup with the Gaels as the #5 team in the country. Pepperdine have only lost two matches all season, losing to #2 North Carolina and #13 Auburn at the beginning of February. Since then, the Waves have won five straight, all wins against ranked opponents. Head Coach Per Nilsson is in his ninth season in charge of the Waves. Since Nilsson took over, the Waves have been ranked in the top ten five times and have been no worse than #13. He has amassed a 170-37 overall record.