March 26, 2008

Lutes Drop Close 5-4 Decision to Pomona-Pitzer

Pomona-Pitzer 5, PLU 4

Michael Manser

CLAREMONT, Calif. - Pacific Lutheran and Pomona-Pitzer battled it out in men's tennis on Wednesday afternoon and it was the host Sagehens who pulled out a 5-4 decision.

The Sagehens won two of the three doubles matches to take an early lead, and then the match came down to singles play with three of the contests going to a third set. Pomona-Pitzer (5-12) won two of those three contests and with them the 5-4 victory.

The Lutes picked up a doubles win from Michael Manser and Justin Peterson at No. 2 and nearly had another before Pomona-Pitzer's Cameron Taylor and Drew Olain pulled out a 9-7 victory over Kevin Floyd and Justin Larimore at No. 1 doubles.

Peterson and Manser both won their singles matches in straight sets, while Larimore went three sets before disposing of Nick Tagliarino, 7-6, 4-6, 6-4.

Pacific Lutheran finishes its California spring break road trip with a pair of matches on Thursday. They meet the nation's No. 4-ranked NCAA Division III team in Middlebury (Vt.) at 9 a.m. followed by a 4:30 p.m. contest against Harvard's junior varsity.

Doubles:
Cameron Taylor-Drew Olian, PP, def. Kevin Floyd-Justin Larimore, 9-7
Michael Manser-Justin Peterson, PLU, def. Grant Friedman-Blake Phillips, 8-6
Drew Cohn-John Williford, PP, def. Jared Vidano-Scott Sheldon, 8-5

Singles:
Taylor, PP, def. Floyd, 6-2, 6-1
Larimore, PLU, def. Nick Tagliarino, 7-6, 4-6, 6-4
Peterson, PLU, def. Williford, 6-3, 6-4
Manser, PLU, def. Olian, 6-4, 6-1
Friedman, PP, def. Troy Silvestrin, 6-2, 5-7, 6-2
Phillips, PP, def. Vidano, 6-1, 0-6, 6-3

- PLU -