WALLA WALLA, Wash. - The Whitman College women's tennis team played three tight doubles matches, ultimately falling in all three en route to a home opening 6-1 loss to Division I Seattle University, Friday afternoon at the Bratton Tennis Center.

Playing Division I rules, the Redhawks' sweep in doubles play earned them the doubles point heading into singles action. Two matches went into tiebreakers, the most exciting coming on the No. 3 court with the point already decided. Kattie Pak and Lori Sheng, in falling 7-6 (12-10), saw numerous match points staved off before eventually succumbing to the Seattle (1-1) tandem of Martina Aciuto and Hannah Grossman. Earlier, at first singles, Andrea Gu and Mary Hill dropped their tiebreaker 7-6 (7-3).

Hill was the lone player to grab a point for Whitman, who lost for the first time this year and dropped to 2-1.  She topped Kyra Jung 6-3, 6-3 on the No. 2 court.

Hill's win came as Seattle had won on the No. 3 and No. 4 courts and were one win away from clinching the win. The Redhawks would get that win though at first singles when Gu fell in straight sets 7-5, 6-4 to  Hannah Gianan.

With the match decided, Lorin DuMuth fell at the six to Lily-Ann Kruetzer and Aciuto, at fifth singles, topped Audrey Grigore in three sets 6-2, 4-6, 10-7.

The big spring opening weekend continues Saturday with an exhibition contest in Portland, Ore. against the University of British Columbia. Play begins at 1:00 p.m.