SAN DIEGO - The No. 26 Point Loma men's tennis team tried to battle back after dropping all three doubles matches, but came up just short against No. 27 Western New Mexico, 5-4, on Friday, Feb. 26.
 
PLNU (2-5) could have folded after falling behind 3-0, but battled in each and every singles match to give themselves a chance. CJ Erion was a benefit of a win by retirement on court 5, and Martin Blaho won in straight sets at No. 2s to cut the Mustangs' lead to 3-2.
 
However, WNMU (3-4) had answers at No. 3 and No. 6 singles to capture the match.
 
Andre Staab and Daniel Milliken did not let up though, and each earned singles wins after the match was decided. Staab won on court 1 6-0, 4-6 and 6-3. Milliken picked up his win on court 4 6-3, 2-6 and 6-4.
 
The Sea Lions will go back on the court tomorrow (Feb. 27) at Claremont-Mudd-Scripps. The match will start at 11:00 a.m.  
 
#27 Western New Mexico 5, #26 Point Loma 4
Feb 26, 2016 at
Singles competition
1. Staab, Andre (PLNU-MT) def. JeanLaurent Pageault (WNMU) 6-0, 4-6, 6-3
2. Blaho, Martin (PLNU-MT) def. Vladimir Gnilozubov (WNMU) 6-2, 6-2
3. Tristan Da Lio (WNMU) def. Tenbroeck, James (PLNU-MT) 7-6, 6-1
4. Milliken, Daniel (PLNU-MT) def. Liam Fraboulet (WNMU) 6-3, 2-6, 6-4
5. Erion, CJ (PLNU-MT) def. Blayze O' Keefe (WNMU) 5-4, retired
6. Pablo Santibanez (WNMU) def. Alston, Jack (PLNU-MT) 7-5, 6-2
 
Doubles competition
1. Vladimir Gnilozubov/Tristan Da Lio (WNMU) def. Staab, Andre/Milliken, Daniel (PLNU-MT) 8-6
2. JeanLaurent Pageault/Liam Fraboulet (WNMU) def. Blaho, Martin/von Braun, Adrian (PLNU-MT) 9-8
3. Blayze O' Keefe/Pablo Santibanez (WNMU) def. Alston, Jack/Tenbroeck, James (PLNU-MT) 8-6
 
Match Notes
Western New Mexico 3-4; National ranking #27; Regional ranking #4
Point Loma 2-6; National ranking #26; Regional ranking #5
T-5:22 A-83