TACOMA - Pacific Lutheran put up a good fight, particularly in singles play, but nationally ranked Whitman showed its strength Friday night in garnering a 7-2 Northwest Conference men's tennis decision at  the UPS Tennis Pavilion.

The Missionaries, who improved to 7-2 overall and 7-0 in the conference, came into Friday night's match ranked No. 19 in the country and No. 6 in the West Region of Division III men's tennis. They showed why they are the class of the conference handing the Lutes their fourth loss against one victory this season. The Lutes, 0-4 in the conference, will go for their first NWC win of the season on Saturday afternoon when they play at Lewis & Clark College in Portland, Ore.

In a switch, the singles matches were played first, and it was there that the Lutes picked up their two team points. Playing at No. 3 singles, sophomore Zack Ah Yat, who missed all of last season because of a shoulder injury, showed his determination by defeating Chris Bailey in three sets, 7-6 (2), 1-6, 6-3. PLU junior transfer Daniel Cotton and Whitman's Steven Roston went to three sets at No. 4 before Cotton prevailed, 7-6 (6), 4-6, 6-2.

Whitman won the other four singles matches in straight sets. At No. 1 singles, Conor Holton-Burke swept past Taylor Dickey, 6-3, 6-1, and at No. 2 it was Andrew La Cava beating Scott Sheldon, 6-4, 6-3. At No. 5, Matt Tesmond topped Neal Berg, 6-3, 6-2, and at No. 6 it was Atanas Atanasov over Reed Gunstone, 6-1, 6-2.

Still needing a doubles point to secure the victory, the Missionaries left little doubt by sweeping all three matches. Holton-Burke and La Cava dumped Dickey and Sheldon, 8-1, Jeff Tolman and Etienne Moshevich beat Ah Yat and Berg, 8-3, while Quin Miller and Tesmond took the measure of Michael Parretta and Cotton, 8-2.

- PLU -