SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (Feb. 5, 2022) – Sophomore Emily Zhang picked up the first two wins of her college career as Caltech women's tennis also won its first match of the 2022 season in a 6-3 decision over Westmont College.

Zhang came up clutch at the end of both sets in single for a 7-5, 7-5 win at court two and teamed with senior Anna Tifrea (Fullerton, Calif. / Troy) in first doubles for a 6-4 win.

Sophomore Athena Kolli (Buffalo Grove, Ill. / Adlai E. Stevenson) and rookie Anika Arora (Fremont, Calif. / Mission San Jose) gave Caltech the 2-1 lead after doubles with a dominant 6-1 showing at court three. Freshman Riti Agarwal (Bangalore, India / Inventure Acad.) celebrated her first collegiate win as well with a 6-3, 6-4 victory at #3, with classmate Yochana Benchetrit (Toronto, Canada / St. Clements School) grinding out a 6-4 first set at fifth singles before cruising to a 6-0 second for the win. Junior Nina Solovyeva (Houston, Texas / Memorial) was the clearest victor on the day, surrendering just three games at #6 (6-1, 6-2).

The Beavers will take the next two weeks to work on their games with the season-opening back-to-back set in the rearview. Their next competition will be playing host to Division I University of California, Irvine on Feb. 18.