Feb. 27 Whitworth 7, UPS 2 - Complete box score TACOMA, Wash. - Whitworth went to Tacoma over the weekend and the Pirates showed just how much they have improved over the last month of play in Northwest Conference men's tennis. Whitworth defeated Puget Sound 7-2 on Friday, then lost a 5-4 heart-breaker to NWC powerhouse Pacific Lutheran on Saturday.
Friday's match was a one-point improvement over the meeting in Spokane on February 7th. Whitworth swept through the doubles matches with Michael Shelton and Joe Wales winning easily 8-2 at #1 doubles. Colin Zalewski and Henry Williams won 8-6 at #2 doubles, while Kellen Oetgen and Colin Barrett pulled out a 9-8 decision at #3 doubles. Shelton rolled to an easy 6-0, 6-1 win at #1 singles, while Wales also won 6-4, 6-1 at #2 singles. Oetgen was just as dominant while winning 6-2, 6-1 at #5. Barrett came from behind to win 5-7, 6-2, 1-0 (10-3) at #6 singles. Back on February 6th Pacific Lutheran blanked Whitworth 9-0 in Spokane in the NWC opener for both schools. On Saturday the Pirates nearly pulled out a stunning reversal before falling 5-4.
Whitworth's doubles teams have become a potent weapon this season and it showed against the Lutes as the Pirates swept all three matches by identical 8-5 scores. Shelton and Wales improved to 8-3 this season by winning at #1 doubles. Zalewski and Williams won at #2 and Oetgen and Barrett won at #3. Zalewski gave the Pirates their fourth point when he won 7-6 (4), 4-6, 6-3 at #3 singles. Whitworth nearly clinched the match at #1 singles, but Joel Trudel pulled out a 7-6 (4), 4-6, 6-4 win over Shelton in the longest match of the day. The Pirates were beaten in straight sets in the other four singles matches. Whitworth is now 7-4 overall and 7-3 in NWC play. The Pirates will host Linfield next Saturday before getting a rematch against Willamette on Sunday. The Bearcats handed the Bucs a 5-4 loss two weeks ago in Oregon. |
