TACOMA, Wash. - The understaffed Pacific Lutheran University men's tennis team was unable to keep pace with in-state nemesis Whitworth University on Sunday, dropping both ends of a non-conference doubleheader at the UPS Tennis Pavilion. The Lutes dropped the opener 9-0 before falling by an identical scoreline in the second dual match of the day.

"It was another fun day of tennis with both the men and women playing simultaneously," said Head Coach Michael Harmon.

"We were simply outmatched against a more experienced Whitworth team. It was nice to see our improvement from match to match. Drew and Dillon looked really good in just their second and third matches together. They can get a lot better which is encouraging."

In the opening match of the day, Dillon Wells and Drew Kraft battled at No. 1 doubles but fell 8-3 to the Pirates' (3-6) Henry Preacher and Nathan Tjelle. In singles, Wells dropped a, 6-1, 6-2, decision to Ethan Warring at No. 1 while Cody Ahn proved to be a stiff test at No. 2 before falling to Tjelle, 6-1, 6-2.

In the second match, Wells and Kraft were unseated, 8-2, at No. 1 doubles by Preacher and Payton Romey. In singles, Wells fell short, 6-2, 6-1, to Whitworth's Romey at No. 1 while Kraft showed some fight at No. 3 in a loss to Colby Cinqmars.

The Lutes (0-4) are back on the court on Friday night, testing their mettle on the road against Bellevue College.