Contact: Mark Albanese, Director of Sports Communication

Box Score

SALEM, Ore. – The Pacific Lutheran University men's tennis squad flexed its muscles on Sunday afternoon, dispatching host Willamette University 6-3 in a Northwest Conference dual match at the WU Tennis Courts.

"Willamette put up a fight and we weren't playing our best tennis, but we found a way to get through and win," said Head Coach Matt Look. "It speaks to a total team effort from us to the end. I'm proud of the effort that we showed. I'm happy that we got a win but hungry to play better the next chance we get."

The Lutes (3-5, 1-3 NWC) nearly completed the sweep in doubles play. Niko Convento and Jake Kim edged the Bearcats' (2-4, 1-2 NWC) No. 1 tandem by an 8-6 count while Branson Near and John Woelfel encountered little resistance in an 8-3 win at No. 3. Justin DeMattos and Chan Thourk battled hard at No. 2 before getting nipped 9-8 (7-3).

In singles, Convento rolled to a, 6-1, 6-1, win at No. 1 while Thourk won by a, 6-3, 6-2, score at No. 4. Near needed a third set to secure the, 6-2, 3-6, 6-2, win at No. 5 while Woelfel edged out the, 6-4, 6-4, win at No. 6.

The Lutes are back on the courts on Sunday, hosting Bellevue College in a non-conference match at the Lakewood Racquet Club.