Boxscore
by Jimmy Chau
PORTLAND, OR.-
The Pioneers continue to work through their tough schedule with a loss to their third nationally ranked opponent this year. Having to play through rain and hail at times, the Pios struggle to heat up on a chilly night in southern California.
Doubles play was highlighted by a story that could have been at the number one doubles slot. Getting better with each match under their belt, the duo of George Allen and Quinn Roth-Carter had all the momentum on their side until a sliding Roth-Carter crashed into the fence and injured his serving shoulder. After having just broken serve and holding serve to be only down 6-5, the two couldn't hold their momentum after having to take an injury timeout. Having trouble lifting his arm above his shoulder, the Pio's best doubles team had no chance at holding serve and lost to Nick Tagliarino and Alden Williford 8-5. The other two doubles matches went to the Sagehens pretty easily with an 8-0 win at #2 and an 8-2 win at #3.
The traditional national power would show off their depth, only giving up 11 total games in singles action. Ramsey Bernard played extremely well to take out a usually competitive Allen in a 6-1, 6-0 win at #1 singles. Roth-Carter showed some true grit and determination by playing through pain, but ultimately posted a 6-2, 6-1 loss to Williford. Cole Pfeiffer played his best match of the southern California trip, but struggled like most of the Pios in finishing off points when they had the opportunities. Pfeiffer would take Joey Debruin to deuce game after deuce game, but the Sagehen would seemed to play the big points just a little better than Pfeiffer.
In a non-counting match, Muneeb Khan played tough after dropping the first set to Chase Dyer 6-2. The Pioneer would find the strength to rally to a 5-2 lead. Much credit should be given to Dyer who stayed the course and battled his way back into a tie-breaker, and ultimately took it 7-4.
The Pioneers travel home to take on the Willamette Bearcats on March 26th at 1pm.
