Contact: Mark Albanese, Director of Sports Communication

FOREST GROVE, Ore. – Niko Convento tallied his seventh singles victory of the season but it wasn't enough as the Pacific Lutheran University men's tennis team fell 8-1 to host Pacific University in a Northwest Conference dual match on Saturday.

"We had another test against a top team today," said Head Coach Matt Look. "Although we got blitzed in the doubles, we showed more fight in the singles matches."

Convento toppled the Boxers' Oscar Wight, 7-5 (10-6), 6-2, at No. 1 singles, upping his record to 2-1 in NWC play and 7-5 overall. Justin DeMattos was foiled, 6-2, 6-2, at the No. 2 spot while Chan Thourk fell by the exact same scoreline at No. 4.

"Niko continues to show his mettle, and gave the team a boost at the end of the day. He can compete with anyone in the conference, and that kind of effort is what will give us confidence that we'll get back to where we want to be in the future."

In doubles play, host Pacific earned a clean sweep with the Lutes' (2-4, 0-2 NWC) No. 1 tandem of Convento and Jake Kim falling 8-1 to Wight and Rayden Murata.

PLU returns to the courts on Sunday, facing Willamette University at 10 a.m. in Salem, Oregon.