TACOMA, Wash. - The Pacific Lutheran University men's tennis team returns to Oregon to open up Northwest Conference play this weekend, battling rivals George Fox University and Lewis & Clark College. 

The Lutes (3-2) early season success has been owed in part to a trio of newcomers who have proven to be impact players in the top of the lineup. Michael Campbell has an 8-2 overall record and a 4-1 mark in dual match play operating at the No. 1 spot in his first year on campus while Hampus Pers Eliasson enjoys a 3-1 mark at No. 3 singles after joining the team at the start of the semester. Not to be overlooked has been the play of Marcus Lee who is 3-1 at the No. 4 singles position.

Campbell and Lee have combined to rack up four wins in doubles play while Pers Eliasson and Justin deMattos have been a formidable team at the No. 2 spot.

The Lutes have already faced three conference rivals ahead of the round robin conference slate. PLU steamrolled the University of Puget Sound 9-0 while suffering setbacks to both Pacific University and Whitworth University. The Whitworth match was especially close with the visiting Pirates escaping with the 5-4 win. 

Saturday sees the Lutes and Bruins taking to the courts at 10 a.m. in Newberg before facing Lewis & Clark on Sunday at 10 a.m. in Portland.