Pacific Defeats Bearcats, 9-0, as Boxers Win Twice in Super Tie-Breakers

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

SALEM, Ore. -- Pacific University, ranked #10 in the West Region of NCAA Division III, won two singles matches in super tie-breakers played instead of a third set, as the Boxers completed a 9-0 victory over Willamette University in a Northwest Conference men's tennis match on Saturday, April 18. Pacific upped its record to 13-5 overall and to 9-2 in the NWC.

The competition was highlighted by a tremendous match at #1 singles. Jack Schreiber (Sr., Solana Beach, CA/The Grauer School) of Willamette battled back from one set down to win the second set in a regular tie-breaker, before falling to Giancarlo Battaglia of Pacific in a super tie-breaker. Battaglia, ranked #15 in the West Region in singles, won the match, 6-2, 6-7 (6-8), 10-5.

"This is a match that Jack will remember for the rest of his life," Willamette Head Coach Rick Wood said. "He put so much effort into the match and played all the way to the end ... He left it all out there.

"It was just a great match. I'm really proud of him," Wood added. "Battaglia's probably among the top three players in the league. Jack came from behind in the second set, he trailed 5-2 at one point, and won the tie-breaker. He was maybe four or five points away from beating this guy."

Schreiber's father, Danny, traveled from California to watch the match.

"Today was a special day as we celebrated our seniors Derek (Crain) and Jack (Schreiber)," Wood noted. "I'm glad Jack's father was able to see him play."

The other match that went to a super tie-breaker was at #4 singles. Jason Voss of Pacific outlasted Sam Wexman(Jr., Tiburon, CA/Tamiscal HS) by the smallest of margins, 6-2, 4-6, 10-8.

Pacific took a 3-0 lead in doubles, including an 8-4 win for Voss and Ben Ryweck over Shrujan Kalidindi (Jr., Cupertino, CA/Monta Vista HS) and Derek Lund (Fr., Helena, MT/Capital HS) in the #3 match.

Ryweck and Kalidindi also met at #5 singles. Ryweck held off Kalidindi in the first set, 6-4, and then took the second set 6-1.

Willamette will complete its season on Sunday, April 19 with a match at George Fox University. The match is scheduled to get underway at 1 p.m. (PDT).