TACOMA, Wash. — Dillon Wells battled at No. 1 singles to headline Wednesday's spring opener for the Pacific Lutheran University men's tennis program. Wells and the Lutes took on crosstown nemesis University of Puget Sound in a non-conference dual match, falling 9-0 to the hosts. 

"We're super proud of the way we competed tonight," said Head Coach Michael Harmon.

"We fought our hardest on every point and never gave up against a more experienced UPS team. Dillon played a superb match against a highly rated player, almost taking the first set on court one. Tonight revealed some areas we can improve on in practice before our next match versus Spokane."

Wells dropped his match at No. 1 singles by a, 7-5, 6-4, scoreline to the Loggers' Mike Smolskis while at No. 3, Steven Chu fell short, 6-0, 6-3. In doubles action, Wells and Chu stumbled 8-1 to the Loggers' No. 1 tandem of Smolskis and Rene Del Barco.

PLU (0-1) is back on the courts on Feb. 25, opening up its home slate by welcoming Community Colleges of Spokane to the Lutes' new home courts at the Galbraith Tennis Center.