No fooling: Panthers climb to No. 25 in nation

ORANGE, Calif. - Thanks to a string of seven wins in its past eight matches, the Chapman University women's tennis team climbed to No. 25 in NCAA Division III according to the latest ITA national poll released Wednesday.

Chapman (9-5) has won four in a row and has posted a 7-1 record overall against the West Region. According to last week's regional polls, the Panthers rank No. 4 in the West. Chapman is aiming for a third consecutive berth in the NCAA postseason playoffs.

The Panthers are led by the sophomore 1-2 punch of Liz Lewis - currently No. 3 in the West in singles - and Kelley Fox. They rank No. 4 in the region in doubles with a record of 10-3 this spring. Lewis is also 11-1 this season and 18-2 overall. Fox and junior Manon Pochet also have 10 wins apiece in singles.

Senior four-year starter Roxanne Kaiden also has compiled seven doubles victories with two different partners.

Chapman plays just one match in April and one in May with the Ojai Valley Tournament sandwiched in between from April 22-26.