SAN DIEGO - The No. 22 Point Loma men's tennis team has their first notch in the win column after an 8-1 defeat of PacWest affiliate member Sonoma State on Saturday, Feb. 25.
 
PLNU (1-6) had been in a number of close matches early this season, but had come out on the wrong side in all of them before today. The loss drops SSU to 0-5 on the season.
 
Point Loma coach Curt Wheeler made some lineup changes and it seemed to spark the Sea Lions. Brendon Millington moved into the No. 1 singles position and picked up a three-set 4-6, 6-1 and 10-2 victory. CJ Erion slid down to the No. 2 spot and earned a win in straight sets 6-1 and 6-2. Tim Soderman also moved up and picked up a three-set win, 6-4, 4-6 and 10-7. Jesse Miritello added another three-set victory at No. 5s and Mark Penner got his first collegiate win at No. 6s.   
 
Point Loma opened the match with a sweep of doubles, which included the first collegiate doubles win as a team for Grant and Jack Alston.
 
Point Loma will be back in action on Tuesday, Feb. 28 when it hosts BYU-Hawaii. 

#22 Point Loma 8, Sonoma State 1
Feb 25, 2017 at San Diego, CA 

Singles competition
1. Brendon Millington (PLNU) def. Max Nudell (SSU) 4-6, 6-1, 10-2
2. CJ Erion (PLNU) def. Alec Wong (SSU) 6-1, 6-2
3. Tim Soderman (PLNU) def. Sullivan Roche (SSU) 6-4, 4-6, 10-7
4. Blaine Mengert (SSU) def. Yuki Okamoto (PLNU) 4-6, 6-3, 10-6
5. Jesse Miritello (PLNU) def. Mitchel Heckmann (SSU) 7-5, 0-6, 10-7
6. Mark Penner (PLNU) def. Nicky Valdecanas (SSU) 6-4, 6-2

Doubles competition
1. CJ Erion/Jesse Miritello (PLNU) def. Max Nudell/Alec Wong (SSU) 8-6
2. Brendon Millington/Yuki Okamoto (PLNU) def. Blaine Mengert/Sullivan Roche (SSU) 8-5
3. Jack Alston/Grant Alston (PLNU) def. Mitchel Heckmann/Kevin To (SSU) 8-2

Match Notes
Sonoma State 0-5; Regional ranking #9
Point Loma 1-6; National ranking #22; Regional ranking #4