SAN DIEGO - The first one is going in the win column! The Point Loma men's tennis team swept singles and two of three doubles matches to earn an 8-1 victory over crosstown foe San Diego Christian in the 2018 season opener. (Feb. 6)
 
PLNU fell behind 1-0 early after the Hawks took the point at No. 2 doubles. However, that would be the last point SDC would bank despite all three doubles matches being extremely tight.
 
Thomas Dafcik and Jack Alston pulled out an 8-6 at the No. 1 spot and Brendon Millington and Grant Alston followed shortly later with an 8-7 win on court No. 3. The Sea Lions grew even stronger when the match turned to singles play. PLNU won all six singles matches to close out the match with the 8-1 victory.
 
Team Records
Point Loma 1-0, San Diego Christian 0-1
 
Wheeler's Words
On the season opener: "The guys were very excited to get out and compete in a real match. We have had a few scrimmages but today was the first one that counted."
 
On the match: "We were able to settle in a little more after doubles. In singles we did a great job playing our game and not dropping a set."
 
On the new lineup: "Having Thomas play No. 1 is a huge addition for us. Not only did he have a good win but it pushes all our returners down one spot and just makes us a stronger team. Everyone is improved and a better player than last year, so it has made our team stronger than we were last year."
 
On confidence level going into APU match: "We are feeling great going into that match. We are feeling prepare but also know Azusa Pacific is a very good opponent. They have had a strong team the past few years and again this year, but we feel we can compete with them. If we can come out and play our best tennis we can give any school a good run for their money."
 
News and Notes
> With Dafcik moving into the No. 1 position everyone from the 2017 team was able to drop down a spot in the lineup
> Ben Smit and Thomas Dafcik were both playing their first match for PLNU
> All three doubles teams were new for Point Loma
> Point Loma opened the season ranked No. 6 in the West Region
 
Up Next
The Sea Lions will be right back in action on Saturday, Feb. 10 at 11 a.m.

Point Loma 8, San Diego Christian 1

Singles competition

1. Dafcik, Thomas (PLNU-MT) def. MELIUK, Aliaksandr (SDC) 6-2, 6-2

2. Millington, Brendon (PLNU-MT) def. SAMARDZIJA, David (SDC) 6-3, 6-3

3. Erion, CJ (PLNU-MT) def. TIDIMANE, Innocent (SDC) 6-4, 7-5

4. Okamoto, Yuki (PLNU-MT) def. LINDQVIST-NILSSON, C (SDC) 6-2, 6-1

5. Alston, Jack (PLNU-MT) def. ZIELLA, German (SDC) 6-3, 6-1

6. Smit, Ben (PLNU-MT) def. ANDEREGG, Nicola (SDC) 6-1, 6-2

Doubles competition

1. Dafcik, Thomas/Alston, Jack (PLNU-MT) def. MELIUK, Aliaksandr/TIDIMANE, Innocent (SDC) 8-6

2. TELLEZ, Alonso/SAMARDZIJA, David (SDC) def. Erion, CJ/Okamoto, Yuki (PLNU-MT) 8-2

3. Millington, Brendon/Alston, Grant (PLNU-MT) def. LINDQVIST-NILSSON, C/ZIELLA, German (SDC) 8-7

Match Notes:

San Diego Christian 0-1

Point Loma 1-0; Regional ranking #6

A-78