Box Score TACOMA, Wash. - The Pacific Lutheran University men's tennis squad tested its mettle against the rest of the region over the weekend, competing at the Intercollegiate Tennis Association Northwest Regional hosted by Whitman College from Friday through Monday.

"It was great match experience for all of our guys," said Head Coach John Campbell.

Michael Campbell and Justin deMattos led the way for the Lutes, both coming away with victories in the opening round of the main draw. Campbell outlasted Whitman's Eric Lim in three-sets before falling to second-seeded Ben Kirsh of Whitman in the second round. Campbell closed out the tournament with three consecutive wins in the second consolation draw, besting Whitworth University's Nick Hughes 8-4, George Fox University's Sam Watt 8-5 and Pacific University's Joey Hu 8-4.

"It was an accomplishment for Michael to fight through the Sunday matches. He really showed what kind of a strong competitor he is.  It's a grind to play that many matches in two days so it takes a lot of mental strength to find a way to pull out matches even when our bodies tell us we're worn out."

deMattos opened the tournament by downing Aiden Velasco of crosstown rival University of Puget Sound, 6-1, 6-1, before stumbling, 6-2, 6-2, to Linfield College's Luis Rojas.

"Justin had a solid first round win over Aiden Velasko from UPS."

In doubles, Campbell and Marcus Lee suffered an 8-4 setback to a tandem from Whitworth while Branson Near and Jamin Perry fell 8-3 to a squad from George Fox. 

The Lutes close out their fall season on Sunday, heading to Salem, Oregon for a match against Willamette University.