After an impressive start to the 2017 season, the Dixie State University tennis team lost its final three matches of the season on the road in California.
The Trailblazers suffered losses at Dominican University Tuesday, at Stanislaus State University on Thursday and at Sonoma State University on Friday.
DSU managed just four total victories and 23 losses during the final stretch of regular season play.
“I thought the week went pretty well for us even with the tough losses,” head coach Eric Pelton said. “We competed hard and did not back down to anyone.”
The Trailblazers suffered an 8-1 team loss against DU in San Rafael, California. The Trailblazers dropped all three of the doubles matches in close fashion. The lone victory for DSU came thanks to freshman Frances Hina Goldsmith. Goldsmith won 6-4, 6-1 in No. 5 singles.
Up next for the Trailblazers was a meeting with Stanislaus State University in Turlock, California, in which the Trailblazers lost 3-6.
Junior Kaylee Milligan and freshman Maria Kana Goldsmith were able to secure a win in No. 3 doubles.
Milligan also picked up a singles victory at No. 5 singles with a 6-1, 7-5 victory. The other DSU singles win was a 6-1, 6-2 triumph by senior Laura Hartle.
The final match of the trip resulted in a 0-9 defeat to Sonoma State University in Rohnert Park, California.
The closest the Trailblazers came to securing a victory was a 7-6, (7-4), 6-1 loss by Frances Hina Goldsmith at No. 4 singles.
“Our regular season was went really well considering our lack of experience,” Pelton said. “We were competitive and we put ourselves in a good spot for the conference tournament.”
DSU will now wait to hear about whether or not it will be selected to participate in the Pacific West Conference tournament which will begin on April 19 in Surprise, Arizona.
