PORTLAND, Ore.—Preseason Northwest Conference (NWC) favorites George Fox University defeated Lewis & Clark College men's tennis 9-0 on Saturday afternoon at the L&C Tennis Bubble.
In a matchup of two of the top three teams in the NWC standings, the Pioneers came out strong in both doubles and singles but couldn't keep up with the Bruins.
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KEY MOMENTS
Lewis & Clark jumped out to an early 2-0 lead at first doubles and snagged one of the first three games at second doubles as well, before George Fox went on big runs on both courts.
In the end, George Fox won the three doubles points by scores of 8-2, 8-1 and 8-1.
Singles play would include extremely tight matches on courts one and four.
At number one singles, Kristian Peev took on ITA Fall Singles Champion Luke Lemaitre. Peev was on serve leading 3-2 in the first set, before Lemaitre went on a big run to grab a 6-3, 6-1 victory.
The closest match of the day came at number three singles.
"Matt Chio played extremely smart and patient tennis in the first set," assistant coach Phalkun Mam said. "His opponent was able to play some big shots to come back in the tiebreak. The long grind of the first set took away Matt's legs and eventually forced him to cramp late in the second set.
Chio and Vahag Pashayan went the distance in the first set and the Pioneers freshman rushed out to a 6-1 lead in the tiebreak. Pashayan came right back and won eight of the next nine points to grab a 7-6 (9-7) first-set win. In the second set, Pashayan was leading 4-0 when Chio was forced to retire due to an injury.
DEEPER LOOK
- George Fox has now won 19-straight regular-season conference matches dating back to March 17, 2019. They are the only undefeated team left in NWC play (5-0).
- The Pioneers have lost back-to-back matches for the first time this season.
- Peev is ranked 25th in singles in the Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) Division III West Regional Rankings.
WHO'S NEXT
The Pioneers will travel to take on Willamette University on Sunday at 11 a.m.
