Photos
MOBILE, Ala. -- Ninth-ranked Point Loma Nazarene defeated Mobile (Ala.) 8-1 in a First Round Match of the NAIA National Championships Tuesday afternoon at the Copeland Cox Tennis Center. The Sea Lions improved to 13-10 with the win and advance to Wednesday's round of action to take on No. 7-ranked Xavier (La.), a team that beat PLNU 5-4 earlier in the season.
The match began with doubles with the Green and Gold pulling in two of three possible points. PLNU started listlessly, though, and that ended up preventing the team from a clean sweep.
The Sea Lions' No. 1 duo of Tyler Bowman and Gregory de Andrade did not experience a slow start, rolling over Fernando Paiva and Karlis Stonis 8-2. Point Loma trailed on both courts two and three, though, Michael Zablan and Andrew Combs recovered and beat Enzo Correa and Bruno Marques 8-6.
KC Ensley and Angel Tavera fell behind early and did rally, but still fell in a tie-breaker to Lucas Tristao and Guiherme Arcaro 9-8.
Every singles match went to the Sea Lions in straight sets. Bowman was the first to finish, beating Paiva 6-1, 6-1. KC Ensley stormed back from his doubles setback and easily topped Correa 6-2, 6-0. The clinching point came on four where Zablan dispatched of Tristao 6-2, 6-0.
Chad Rubin took care of Marques 6-4, 6-4 on court six and de Andrade beat Stonis 6-3, 6-2 on court two. Diego Tavera looked like he might be pushed to a third set on five, but finished off Arcaro 6-4, 6-4.
During the first round all matches are played to completion. Starting on Wednesday, once the winning team has been decided, play is halted.
The Rams end the year with a 7-6 overall mark.
Weather conditions Tuesday featured temperatures in the mid-80s with high humidity. Occasional clouds helped to cool off the court and players. However, the forecast calls for a slight temperature rise as the week progresses.
The Sea Lions are competing in their 13th consecutive, and final, NAIA Championships. Starting in the fall, the PLNU athletic program will participate as a member of the NCAA DII and the Pacific West Conference. PLNU has followed the same pattern at nationals for each of those 13 years: win one, lose one. The Green and Gold is hoping to snap that cycle with a win over Xavier Wednesday.
May 15, 2012 at Mobile, Ala. (Mobile Tennis Center)
#9 Point Loma Nazarene University 8, #23 University of Mobile 1
Singles competition
1. Tyler Bowman (PLNU) def. Fernando Paiva (UM) 6-1, 6-1
2. Gregory de Andrade (PLNU) def. Karlis Stonis (UM) 6-3, 6-2
3. KC Ensley (PLNU) def. Enzo Correa (UM) 6-2, 6-0
4. Michael Zablan (PLNU) def. Lucas Tristao (UM) 6-2, 6-0
5. Diego Tavera (PLNU) def. Guilherme Arcaro (UM) 6-4, 6-4
6. Chad Rubin (PLNU) def. Bruno Marques (UM) 6-3, 6-1
Doubles competition
1. Tyler Bowman/Gregory de Andrade (PLNU) def. Fernando Paiva/Karlis Stonis (UM) 8-2
2. Lucas Tristao/Guilherme Arcaro (UM) def. KC Ensley/Angel Tavera (PLNU) 9-8
3. Michael Zablan/Andrew Combs (PLNU) def. Enzo Correa/Bruno Marques (UM) 8-6
Match Notes: Point Loma Nazarene University 13-10; National ranking #9
University of Mobile 7-6; National ranking #23
2012 NAIA Men's Tennis National Championships - First Round
