TACOMA, Wash. - The Pacific Lutheran University men's tennis team will head to California this weekend to take on three Californian Universities.

The Lutes (4-5) first matchup will be against California Lutheran University(4-5) on Sunday in Thousand Oaks. PLU will then go to Los Angeles to take on the Occidental College on Wednesday. The final match of the trip will be against Chapman University on Thursday before heading back home to Tacoma.

The Lutes are coming off a split weekend of Northwest Conference competition. After suffering a tough setback to Pacific University, the team rebounded nicely, picking up a 6-3 victory over Willamette University. The Lutes won two of three doubles matches. Hampus Pers Eliasson, Jake Kim, and Branson Near, all emerged victorious in their singles matches against the Bearcats. 

"As a team, we have changed our practice environment to outside to focus on dealing with the sun," said sophomore Jake Kim. "Also, we have been putting more time in our conditioning to prevent any injuries and having to play in hotter climate. Lastly, as a team we have focused on our behavior to represent PLU outside Washington."

As the team prepares for their first matches outside the Pacific Northwest, Kim talked about what traveling means to him,

"My favorite part is spending quality time with my teammates, which can lead to lifelong friendship. I also like the fact that we can spread and build awareness to people who don't know about our school."

Kim is a Washington  native. He played tennis for Todd Beamer High School in Federal Way. This years Lute tennis team is a young squad.

"My role as an upperclassman is being a leader to the team," said Kim. "I make sure people are enjoying the practice, team relationship, and speaking up for my team when they need me. Also I try to bring positivity to our teammates when they are down and help them with the mental part of tennis."

The Lutes begin California competition on March 24th at 1 p.m.