By John Tveter
After a rough first weekend of conference tennis matches, Pacific Lutheran University returned home looking to turn things around. Unfortunately for the Lutes, the Pacific Boxers had other plans, running away with the match early and skunking the Lutes by a final team score of 9-0.
The day began with the doubles matches, and the Lutes put up a fight. Junior Spencer Herron and sophomore Jake Yannello hung tough in the No. 2 doubles matchup before falling 8-5. The No. 3 doubles pair of first-years James Okubo and Sam Stadter also lost by a slim margin, 8-6.
As the singles matches began, the Lutes were looking to get their first singles win of the year. They had been swept in singles matches against both Lewis & Clark and George Fox the previous weekend. The Boxers served up a similar meal of defeats for the Lutes.
Angel, Yannello, Okubo, senior Neal Berg and sophomore Brancon Bulaclac all fell to the Boxers in straight sets. The lone match that went to a third set was that featuring Stadter. Stadter won the first set, but was unable to capitalize as his opponent battled back to win the next two sets. Stadter lost 3-6, 6-3, 6-4.
“We were hoping to start this weekend on a good note, but unfortunately we didn’t. The good news is we have another chance tomorrow to turn things around tomorrow,” Yannello said.
