SAN DIEGO -- Joel Myers' singles victory on court two broke a team deadlock and lifted NAIA No. 10-ranked Point Loma Nazarene to an important 5-4 win over No. 8 Westmont Saturday afternoon at the PLNU Tennis Courts. The Sea Lions improved to 7-0 overall, 4-0 in the GSAC with Saturday's marathon triumph. Of the seven PLNU wins this year, four have been by a 5-4 score.
Though Loma claimed two of three doubles points versus Westmont, it was a downer in some ways because the Sea Lions could have won all three.
Angel Tavera and DJ Jaehnig notched the first win on court three, 8-1 and Tyler Bowman and Diego Tavera pulled out a 9-8 comeback win on two. On court one, Myers and KC Ensley led Carlos Lima and Lukas Zielen 6-1, but would be pushed to a tie-breaker and had match point, only one to lose by a controversial 8-6 score.
“I was hugely disappointed that we lost that one,” said Myers. “We had that match and let it go.”
Heading into singles with a 2-1 lead, PLNU needed three singles points to get the team win. Michael Zablan and Jaehnig did their part, winning 6-1, 6-0 and 6-2, 6-3 respectively. The Warriors gathered in the next three points, though. The Sea Lions were in position for an earlier team win, but Bowman on court one fell in three sets despite having two match points.
Tied 4-4, it all came down to Myers and WC's Bryam Cox on court one.
The PLNU senior dropped the first set to Cox, but rallied to win the second and closed the day's play with a set three win (2-6, 7-5, 6-3).
“I love the pressure,” said Myers.”It brings out the best in me. I didn't think about what the score was as far as the team points, though. I just tried to beat my man. We have been back-and-forth for years. He is tough to play, but I was prepared.”
The rest of the Sea Lions watching on the sidelines, charged Myers after he picked up the winning point. PLNU Coach Rich Hills was drained - but happy - afterwards.
"It's as competitive a match as I have ever been in,” said Hills. “Every call, every play was contested. For our guys to bounce back and get the win is great. I am really glad Joel was able to pull it out.”
PLNU takes a few welcome days off before hosting Amherst College on Monday, March 14, starting at 2:30 pm.
