April 5, 2007

Lutes Thump Puget Sound, 8-1, in NWC Men’s Tennis

After losing five straight matches to tough opponents during a Spring Break trip to Southern California, Pacific Lutheran returned to its winning ways by thumping Puget Sound, 8-1, in a Northwest Conference men’s tennis match played Friday at the PLU courts.

With the victory, the Lutes improve to 10-9 for the season and to 10-2 in the conference, good for second in the standings. Puget Sound is now 6-8 overall and 6-7 in Northwest Conference matches.

As with a 9-0 win over the Loggers back on Feb. 9, the Lutes had little trouble with their cross-town rival. PLU rolled to easy wins at No. 1 and No. 2 doubles, and Kevin Floyd and John DeMars picked up an 8-3 triumph playing together for the first time at No. 3 doubles.

The Lutes also had a slightly altered singles lineup with No. 3 Jeff Loranger playing only in doubles on this day. With the No. 4 through No. 7 players all moving up one spot, the Lutes still won five of the six singles matches, including four wins in straight sets. Miller rolled to an easy 6-0, 6-0 win over Andrew Neal at No. 1 singles to lead the way.

Puget Sound picked up its only point at No. 5 singles where Kei Sato defeated Jared Vidano, 6-4, 6-3.

Pacific Lutheran returns to action on Friday with a Northwest Conference doubleheader against Whitworth beginning at 2 p.m. Both matches will be played at the PLU courts.

Pacific Lutheran 8, Puget Sound 1

Doubles:
David Miller-Justin Larimore, PLU, def. Sam McCullugh-Jamie Hosmer, 8-3
Justin Peterson-Jeff Loranger, PLU, def. Andrew Neal-Kei Sato, 8-4
Kevin Floyd-John DeMars, PLU, def. Nick Amland-Andrew Oates, 8-3

Singles:
Miller, PLU, def. Neal, 6-0, 6-0
Floyd, PLU, def. Amland, 6-4, 7-5
Larimore, PLU, def. McCullugh, 6-4, 6-1
Peterson, PLU, def. Hosmer, 4-6, 7-5, (10-6)
Sato, UPS, def. Jared Vidano, 6-4, 6-3
Jamie Crosetto, PLU, def. Scooter Sabel, 6-2, 6-1

- PLU -