Boxers Can't Hold On At Bottom Of Order In Loss To Lutes
Box Score
TACOMA, Wash. – Pacific came back from a 2-1 doubles deficit, but found themselves at a loss for victories at the bottom of the singles lineup Saturday as Pacific Lutheran pulled off a stunning 5-4 victory over the Boxers in Northwest Conference men's tennis action at the Sprinker Recreation Center.
The Boxers trailed 2-1 after dropping the No. 2 and No. 3 doubles matches, but pulled back ahead 3-2 after wins at the top of the singles order from
Troy Zuroske (Jr., Richland, Wash.) and
Giancarlo Battaglia (So., Sherman Oaks, Calif.), but the Lutes won three of the final four matches of the day, securing the victory with Jake Yannello's win in the No. 6 match.
“This was a very tough loss for us today,” said Pacific Head Coach
Brian Jackson. “Although we were dominant at the top again, we struggled at the bottom of the singles and doubles lineup and PLU took full advantage. This one is going to sting, especially since we do not get another shot at them in the regular season. But, after the sting goes away, we are going to be motivated to work even harder to get back on the winning track.”
Zuroske and Battaglia opened the day with their second win in doubles, blanking Sam Angel and Luke Olson in the No. 1 flight 8-0. The Lutes came ready in the lower two flights. Taylor Dickey and Jason Bower surged to beat
Alen Suklje (So., Portland, Ore.) and
David Yanagita (Fr., Minneapolis, Minn.) 8-2. Brothers Jake and Mitch Yannello put up a spirited battle against
Lorne Bulling (Fr., Corvallis, Ore.) and
Kolin Wong (Sr., Captain Cook, Hawaii) to score an 8-5 win that put the Lutes ahead 2-1.
Zuroske and Battaglia brought Pacific back to the positive side of the ledger on the top of the singles bracket, with Zuroske taking a 7-5, 6-4 victory from Bower at No.1 and Battaglia scoring a 6-0, 6-0 sweep of Angel at No. 2. Suklje battled back from one set down against Olson at No. 3, but the Lutes took a closely contested third set to win 6-3, 4-6, 7-5. Bulling then made it a 4-3 Pacific lead when he scored a 6-4, 7-5 win over Dickey at No. 4.
The Lutes secured the win with a pair of solid wins at the bottom of the lineup. Mitch Yannello scored a 6-2, 6-4 win over Yanagita at No. 5 and Jake Yannello completed the victory with a 6-1, 6-1 decision over Wong at No. 6.
Pacific dropped to 1-1, 1-1 NWC, with the loss while PLU improved to 2-0, 2-0 NWC. Pacific returns to the road for one match next weekend, heading to Spokane on Saturday to take on Whitworth. Match time is scheduled for 10 a.m.
