SURPRISE, Ariz. - The Point Loma men's tennis team came from behind to defeat Holy Names, 5-2, and advance to the semifinals of the PacWest Conference Championships.
 
Things did not look good for PLNU (12-9) at first as Holy Names (7-11) took each of the first two doubles matches and Andre Staab and Daniel Milliken were in a heated contest on court 1. But the Sea Lion duo found a way to prevail and picked up an 8-6 win at No. 1s to cut the Hawks lead in half and send PLNU into singles down just 2-1.
 
Staab carried his momentum from doubles into singles and swept HNU's No. 1 player Tracy Beblie, 6-3 and 6-0. This was the third time this season Staab has defeated the Hawks' No. 1. That victory tied the match at 2-2.
 
It was then a pair of freshman that stepped up to put PLNU in front. First Jack Alston set down Ivan Parra in straight sets 6-4 and 6-1, and shortly after CJ Erion added another win to the tally with a 6-3 and 6-1 win at No. 5 to put PLNU just one point away from the win (4-2). Erion has now won five straight singles matches, while Alston has won five of his last six.
 
Martin Blaho provided that clinching point on court 2 as he prevailed over Matthew Halligan, 6-4 and 6-4, to avenge a loss earlier this season and send PLNU to the semifinals. This was the fifth straight victory for the junior.
 
"This year we split the two matches with (Holy Names) so we knew they were very good and we would have to be ready to go," said PLNU head coach Curt Wheeler. "Our No. 1 doubles had a huge win for us that really kept us in the match," "Then our guys came out from the very first point in singles and executed their game; and we were able to come out on top.
 
"Andre and Martin have done a great job for us this year leading us, especially in singles," Wheeler continued. "They both did a good job today of going and getting their matches today and not letting them lengthen out.
 
"Jack and CJ did a great job today," Wheeler added. "They have done well all year as our No. 5 and No. 6 and today was a big moment for the freshmen. They each stayed focus and taking a big match for their team. They were huge for us today."
 
PLNU will now prepare to face the No. 1 team in the country, Hawaii Pacific, on Friday, Apr. 17 at 9:00 a.m.
 
"It is a lot of fun being able to play towards something," Wheeler explained. "During the season you have a lot of matches but in this setting you have to have that mindset that we are going to go out and win three matches. 
 
"Taking the first match today gives us a little momentum going into the match against the top team in the country," he continued. "If we come out and play some tough doubles we give ourselves a chance in singles."

#40 Point Loma 5, #41 Holy Names 2
Singles competition
1. #24 Staab, Andre (PLNU-MT) def. Tracy Beblie (HNU-MT) 6-3, 6-0
2. Blaho, Martin (PLNU-MT) def. Matthew Halligan (HNU-MT) 6-4, 6-4
3. Tenbroeck, James (PLNU-MT) vs. Rafael Martinez (HNU-MT) unfinished
4. Milliken, Daniel (PLNU-MT) vs. Brook Workeneh (HNU-MT) unfinished
5. Erion, CJ (PLNU-MT) def. Jonah Tahilan (HNU-MT) 6-3, 6-1
6. Alston, Jack (PLNU-MT) def. Ivan Parra (HNU-MT) 6-4, 6-1

Doubles competition
1. #19 Staab, Andre/Milliken, Daniel (PLNU-MT) def. Rafael Martinez/Matthew Halligan (HNU-MT) 8-6
2. Tracy Beblie/Adam Duong (HNU-MT) def. Blaho, Martin/Erion, CJ (PLNU-MT) 8-4
3. Brook Workeneh/Jonah Tahilan (HNU-MT) def. Tenbroeck, James/Alston, Grant (PLNU-MT) 8-4

Match Notes:
Holy Names 7-11; National ranking #41; Regional ranking #6
Point Loma 12-9; National ranking #40; Regional ranking #5
Order of finish: Doubles (2,3,1); Singles (1,6,5,2)
T-3;19 A-67