The Forester women's tennis team was defeated 5-2 by the University of California, Santa Cruz at the Racquet Club of Lake Bluff Monday night.
Lake Forest's points came at the top two spots in the single lineup. Freshman
Lilli Dockal took both sets 6-3 at #2 and the teams' top players were the last on the court with Forester sophomore
Sofia Strupovets prevailing 3-6, 6-4, (10-8). Strupovets led 6-3 in the third set super tiebreaker before falling behind 8-6 thanks to five consecutive points for her opponent. The 14th-ranked player in the Central Region then rattled off four straight points of her own to take the match.
The home team nearly had another comeback victory at #3 singles, where fifth-year
Margaret Bugnacki dropped the first set 6-4 before doubling up her opponent 6-3 in the second. Trailing 9-5 in the third set super tiebreaker, Bugnacki fought off three match point opportunities but not a fourth, falling 10-8.
Additional close calls came at the top two doubles positions. Strupovets and Dockal were edged out 6-4 at #1 while Bugnacki and senior
Sara Lopez fell by the same score at #2.
The loss dropped Lake Forest's record on the season to 12-4 while Santa Cruz improved to 7-6.
The Foresters will wait nearly two weeks before hosting Augustana College in their next match on Sunday, April 6.
