WALLA WALLA - Scott Sheldon and Taylor Dickey beat yet another Northwest Conference doubles opponent, but that was Pacific Lutheran's only win as the Lutes dropped an 8-1 decision to Northwest Conference champion Whitman on Sunday.

Sheldon and Dickey defeated Conor Holton-Burke and Andrew Cava, 8-6, at No. 1 doubles to improve to 12-5 overall and 9-2 against conference foes. Whitman won the other two matches, 8-4 and 8-2, and it also took all six singles matches in straight sets.

The Missionaries, ranked No. 22 in the country, won the regular season conference title with a 12-0 record, and they are 14-6 overall. They will host the four-team NWC postseason tournament scheduled for this coming Saturday and Sunday.

PLU finished out of the season 6-12 overall and 4-8 in the conference, good for seventh place.

Sunday's match brought to an end the 13-year dual match coaching career of PLU head coach Craig Hamilton. Under his guidance, Pacific Lutheran won four Northwest Conference titles and compiled a 183-100 overall record. Hamilton will continue to coach several Lutes who are entered in the Ojai Tournament scheduled for late April in Ojai, Calif.

- PLU -