PORTLAND, Ore. -- The same week that Lewis & Clark earned its first national ranking, the No. 39 Pioneers won their first match against a nationally-ranked opponent with Saturday's 5-4 win over 14th-ranked Whitman at the L&C Tennis Dome.

The win over Whitman is the first in almost nine years by a Northwest Conference team, according to the conference office.

"Without a doubt, it was a remarkable effort today by the team and specifically by our seniors," said assistant coach Jimmy Chau. "Our men have believed all along that they could play with some of the best in the country.  Whitman's run in our conference has been amazing, but our guys didn't let that deter them from coming out and playing their game."

Kevin Ross fell in his first set before taking the final two against Peter Jivkov to win the No. 3 singles match, 5-7, 7-6, 7-6. Harrison Collins and Daniel Hahm also won singles pairings for the Pioneers. Collins won the No. 4 match, 6-2, 6-2, over Adam Rapoport, and Hahm won 6-7, 6-4, 6-4 against Robert Carter in the fifth position.

In doubles, Gordon Barrows and Brenden Barrows beat the nation's No. 14 pair, Zach Hewlin and Phillip Locklear, 8-6. Ross and Collins paired to win the No. 3 position, 8-3, over Gary Ho and Rapoport. Keane Hindle and Raed Attia were the only pair to lose for Lewis & Clark. They fell 8-4 in the second spot to Jake Hoeger and Carter.

"Kevin Ross and Harrison Collins put on a clinic at flight three to set the table for the rest of the day," said Chau. "Even up 2-1 after doubles, we knew there was a long road ahead.  Whitman is an unbelievably talented singles team, and we were able to come through and from behind in a couple three setters that our seniors will never forget."

Those seniors, Ross and Hahm, play their final home matches on Sunday against Whitworth.

"The scores speak for themselves, but Ross and Daniel Hahm proved clutch for us today against some very strong players," said Chau.

The matches against the Pirates start at 10 a.m. on Sunday at the L&C Tennis Dome.