NWC let down

Lutes make finals, can’t pick up conference crown for first time in three years

Ellen Kanuch - kanuches@plu.edu

Mast Sports Reporter

The Pacific Lutheran University men’s tennis team, three-time defending champion of the Northwest Conference ended their winning streak to conclude the season as they lost 8-1 to Whitman this last weekend.
The Missionaries stepped into the NWC tournament with the No. 1 seed based on a 16-0 conference record. Whitman was confident as they dominated in the tournament championship match Saturday afternoon at Yakima Tennis Club.

This was Whitman’s first conference title since 2004.

The brothers’ duo of Daniel and Matt Solomon defeated their PLU opponents senior Justin Larimore and sophomore Kevin Floyd, 8-2, at No. 1 doubles, and Jasper Follows and Justin Hayashi took a victory over first-year Scott Sheldon and senior James Crosetto, 8-2, at No. 3 doubles.

The Lutes picked-up a doubles point at No. 2 where sophomore Justin Peterson and sophomore Michael Manser slammed Nadeem Kassam and Jake Cappel, 8-5.

Those were the only points that PLU came out of the match with as Whitman coasted through singles.

Matt Solomon proved his spot at No. 1 beating Floyd, 7-5, 6-4, and Daniel defeated Larimore, 6-2, 6-4, at No. 2.

Chris Bailey at No. 3 captured a victory over Peterson 6-1, 6-2, Cappel at No. 4 beat Manser 6-2, 7-5, and Dan Wilson at No. 5 topped senior Tory Silvestrin 6-2, 6-1.

Sheldon put the pressure on Hayashi as they played a third set before Sheldon was beat, 2-6, 6-3, 6-0, at No. 6 singles.

“We fought hard but it was disappointing to lose to Whitman in the final,” Sheldon said.

The loss in the conference final means that the Lutes will not be competing in the NCAA division III national tournament. PLU had competed at nationals the last three seasons as the winner of the Northwest Conference

Although the Lutes have wrapped up their season, the top five players will head to California to catch some rays and wins this weekend as they participate in the Ojai Tournament.

The Lutes will attempt to follow up an amazing performance by Larimore and his partner David Miller, who graduated last season. The two won the Division III doubles chamionship at Ojai last year.