Pacific Wins against Bearcats, 9-0, in Men's Tennis

By Robert McKinney, Athletics Communications Director, (503) 370-6110

SALEM, ORE. -- Pacific University, ranked #10 in the West Region of NCAA Division III, swept the singles and doubles competition on Sunday, April 13, as the Boxers defeated Willamette, 9-0, on at the WU Tennis Courts.

The Boxers upped their record to 12-3 on the season, 9-1 in the Northwest Conference. Willamette dropped to 2-12 overall, 2-8 in the NWC.

At #1 doubles, Pacific's team of Troy Zuroske and Giancarlo Battaglia outscored Sam Wexman (So., Tiburon, CA/Tamiscal HS) and Shrujan Kalidindi (So., Cupertino, CA/Monta Vista HS), 8-5. Josh Bernstein and Rueben Mulhern of Pacific also won 8-5 at #3 doubles over Will Cooper (Sr., Gresham, OR/Centennial HS) and Gunnar Lee (So., Hilo, HI/St. Joseph HS). The Boxers won #2 doubles, 8-2.

In singles, the #6 match featured a regular tie-breaker in the first set and a super tie-breaker instead of a third set. Blake Brash (So., Boise, ID/Boise HS) of Willamette won the first set 7-6 (8-6), but couldn't maintain his momentum, as Alen Suklje claimed the second set, 6-0. Suklje outlasted Brash in the super tie-breaker, 10-8, to win the match.

The #1 singles match between Zuroske and Wexman featured a battle in the first set, with Zuroske winning 7-5. In the second set, Zuroske was victorious, 6-2.

Battaglia easily won the first set at #2 singles, but received a strong challenge from Cooper in the second set before earning a 6-1, 6-4 triumph.

Willamette will complete the season with a two-match road trip. The Bearcats will play at Whitworth University in Spokane, Wash., on Friday, April 18 at 4 p.m. (PDT). The second match will be at Whitman College in Walla Walla, Wash., on Saturday, April 19 at 1 p.m. (PDT).