Lutes finish in second

Men’s tennis blows through Linfield and George Fox before NWC championships

Ellen Kanuch - kanuches@plu.edu

Mast Sports Reporter

The Lutes wrapped up the Northwest Conference regular season with victories over Linfield and George Fox last weekend. PLU defeated Linfield 5-4 Friday and George Fox 9-0 Saturday to finish with a 14-2 record.

The Lutes will now have the No. 2 seed and first-round bye in the Northwest Conference Championships on April 18-19 at the Yakima Tennis Club.

The Lutes had a tough match against the Linfield Wildcats, before taking their 5-4 win. The Wildcats have the third best record in the conference. sophomre Kevin Floyd, who claimed Northwest Conference Player of the Week honors for his performance in last week’s matches, teamed up with senior Justin Larimore, picking up valuable points for the Lutes for doubles and singles.

Floyd and Larimore defeated Nick Ruess and Kyle Anderson at No. 1 doubles, 9-8 (7-2). Floyd beat Ruess at No. 1, 6-2, 6-1, and Larimore challenged Anderson, and took the win at No. 2, 6-1, 6-2. sophomore Justin Peterson and sophomore Michael Manser combined at No. 2 doubles, giving PLU an 8-6 win. In the clutch, senior Tory Silvestrin defeated Brad Henson at No. 6 singles, 6-4, 6-1.

“My partner Justin Peterson and I played well, but in the end it was my superior skill that led us to victory,” Manser said.

The Lutes dominated against the Bruins, coming out with a 9-0 victory. Floyd defeated Mac Ovenell at No. 1, 6-4, 6-2, and Silvestrin, who bumped up to No. 2 singles shut down Nick Jenness, 6-7, 6-2, 1-0 (10-3). Other singles defeats by the Lutes were senior Jared Vidano at No. 3, first-year Scott Sheldon at No. 4, senoir James Crosetto at No. 5 and junior John deMars at No. 6.

The Lutes were very successful as they won all of their doubles points. Floyd and Larimore defeated their opponents 8-2 at the No. 1 spot. The duo of Manser and Silvestrin took a win at No. 2 and Vidano and Sheldon won at No. 3.

“We have been practicing hard and we are ready for Conference. We finally figured out 5 and 6 spots for singles and I’m pretty sure we’ll win,” Manser said.

The Lutes are gearing up for the Northwest Conference Championship, which is right around the corner. Next weekend the team will compete in matches all day in Yakima, Wash.

Photo by Chris Hunt

Sophomore Micheal Manser returns a ball in a match this season. The PLU men’s tennis team will attempt to defend their Conference Championship this weekend. They go into the tournement with the No. 2 seed.