SAN DIEGO - The Sea Lions were coming off of a nine-day break since their last competition, a 7-2 win over Holy Names, heading into today's match against Division I opponent, Bucknell University. Point Loma was riding a three-game win streak coming into the match and hoped to extend their great play and earn their fourth-straight win. 

The team started strong in doubles competition, getting two quick wins from their top two pairs. At No. 2 doubles, Thomas Dafcik and Yuki Okamoto continued their dominance earning an 8-2 win to give PLNU their first point of the day. The pair has yet to drop a match since they began playing together at the beginning of this win streak. The Sea Lions got another quick win, 8-3 from No. 1 doubles, but were unable to sweep doubles play dropping the No. 3 doubles match 8-5. 

Point Loma headed to singles with the 2-1 lead and the confidence that they could put together at least three solid wins to take the match. Jack Alston got the ball rolling for the Sea Lions as he took his match at No. 5 singles, 6-0, 6-1, to grab a quick win and help keep the momentum in PLNU's favor. Okamoto pushed the Sea Lions' lead to 4-1 with a 6-4, 6-0 win at the No. 4 position, while CJ Erion clinched the match for PLNU with his 6-2, 6-1 win at No. 3 singles. With the match in hand, Point Loma was able to seal two more wins at the Nos. 1 and 6 positions. With the match already clinched, Brendon Millington lost the lone singles match for the Sea Lions in a three-set battle, falling 6-3, 5-7, 12-14.
 
Team Records
Point Loma 6-4, Bucknell 2-11

Wheeler's Words
On beating a D-I opponent: "Beating D-1 opponents is always a confidence booster. My players know that we play in one of the toughest, if not the toughest, D-2 conferences in the country which gives us a good chance to beat many D-1 schools."

On the winning streak: "The guys have been playing their best tennis of the season over our four match win streak. The consistency has been the key to the win streak. Good and great teams play well consistently and we have demonstrated this over the last two weeks."

On the importance of getting a win after a long break from competition: "Today's win was especially impressive considering the guys had spring break this past week. It was evident today that they put in work over the break to be prepared for a tough match right away. Today was a great start to the second half of the season!"
 
Up Next
Point Loma hosts Colorado Mesa on Wednesday, March 14, the men play at 2 p.m. and the women follow at 4 p.m.

Point Loma 7, Bucknell 2
Singles competition
1. Thomas Dafcik (PLNU-MT) def. Daniel Wright (BUMT) 6-4, 6-1
2. Max Kane (BUMT) def. Brendon Millington (PLNU-MT) 3-6, 7-5, 14-12
3. CJ Erion (PLNU-MT) def. Max McDonald (BUMT) 6-2, 6-1
4. Yuki Okamoto (PLNU-MT) def. Colin Sacco (BUMT) 6-4, 6-0
5. Jack Alston (PLNU-MT) def. Max Garramone (BUMT) 6-0, 6-1
6. Ben Smit (PLNU-MT) def. Adrien Crastes (BUMT) 7-5, 7-5

Doubles competition
1. Brendon Millington/Jack Alston (PLNU-MT) def. Timber Erskine/Ben Gerber (BUMT) 8-3
2. Thomas Dafcik/Yuki Okamoto (PLNU-MT) def. Drew Krantz/Colin Sacco (BUMT) 8-2
3. Max McDonald/Adrien Crastes (BUMT) def. CJ Erion/Grant Alston (PLNU-MT) 8-5

Match Notes:
Bucknell 2-11
Point Loma 6-4
Order of finish: Doubles (2,1,3); Singles (5,4,3,1,6,2)
T-3:13