FRESNO, Calif. --- The NAIA’s No. 2-ranked Fresno Pacific got its GSAC title defense underway with narrow 6-3 win over No. 10 California Baptist University Saturday afternoon at the Haak Tennis Center in Fresno.

The win improves the Sunbirds to 2-0 overall, 1-0 GSAC, while the Lancers fall to 1-2, 0-1.

The Lancers actually struck first with the first point of the match when Maiara Oliveira and Jessica Roddy defeated Elizabeth McFeeters and Brittany Salley, 8-5, at No. 3 doubles. However, the Sunbirds won easily at No. 2 and No. 1 to take a 2-1 lead into singles.

Vanessa Heroux gave the Sunbirds a 3-1 lead with a 6-0, 6-1 win over Dunya Wren at No. 4, but the Lancers tied it when Jelena Savic defeated McFeeters, 6-2, 6-1, at No. 5, and Oliveira defeated Ashley Sherr, 6-2, 6-1, at No. 6.

Maria Klokotzky gave the lead back to the Sunbirds with a 6-4, 6-2 win over Raquel Vescovi at No. 2, and then Katia Sabate defeated Marcela Montanha, 6-0, 6-1, at No. 1 to clinch the win. Ornella Gentile held off Aurelie Hascoet, 6-3, 7-5, at No. 3 to complete the scoring.