SAN DIEGO - With rain pushing back the start time of the women's match, the men's and women's teams played simultaneously today while hosting the Seawolves of Sonoma State. With time a factor for the second consecutive match, the teams played to clinch meaning the first team to five points would earn the victory. It would only take six matches to determine a winner as Point Loma came away with the 5-1 win.

The Sea Lions came out strong in their doubles play, something that has been trouble for them in many matches. Each doubles team earned a solid 8-4 win over their opponent giving the team a 3-0 lead heading into singles play. It was CJ Erion and Grant Alston who earned the first point for PLNU and the other two pairs were not far behind. Yuki Okamoto and Thomas Dafcik got back on track after losing their last two doubles matches helping Point Loma to their big lead heading to singles play. 

With the women and men playing simultaneously, the team could only have three men playing at once during singles competition. Nos. 1-3 singles were the first up for the Sea Lions and it would prove to be all they needed to clinch the match. Brendon Millington won at No. 2 singles, 7-5, 6-4, to give PLNU the 4-0 lead. The Seawolves were able to take the No. 3 singles match, but Thomas Dafcik would clinch the match at the No. 1 position before the Nos. 5 or 6 singles matches had a chance to begin. The win gave the Sea Lions their 10th win of the season, which doubled their win output from last season. 
 
Team Records
Point Loma 10-5, Sonoma State 11-4
 
Wheeler's Words
On the team's doubles performance: "The doubles play was a huge boost for the match today against Sonoma. Our singles play has been strong the last few weeks, but sweeping doubles took a lot of pressure off of the singles matches."

On the team's progress over last season and finishing this season strong: "The guys have taken a big step forward from last season. Consistent and confident doubles and singles will be the key to finishing the season strong. The guys have improved their play steadily all season and continuing to improve will be another key in making a run."
 
Up Next
Point Loma has the next six days to prepare for their match against Concordia next Thursday, March 29, at 3 p.m.
 
Point Loma 5, Sonoma State 1
Singles competition
1. Thomas Dafcik (PLNU-MT) def. Nate Oppenheim (SSU) 6-2, 7-5
2. Brendon Millington (PLNU-MT) def. Sean Alves (SSU) 7-5, 6-4
3. Allan Lock (SSU) def. Yuki Okamoto (PLNU-MT) 6-2, 6-2
4. CJ Erion (PLNU-MT) vs. Max Nudell (SSU) 2-1, unfinished
5. Igor Pissarenko (SSU) vs. Jack Alston (PLNU-MT) no result
6. Alec Wong (SSU) vs. Tim Soderman (PLNU-MT) no result

Doubles competition
1. Brendon Millington/Jack Alston (PLNU-MT) def. Nate Oppenheim/Sean Alves (SSU) 8-4
2. Thomas Dafcik/Yuki Okamoto (PLNU-MT) def. Igor Pissarenko/Allan Lock (SSU) 8-4
3. CJ Erion/Grant Alston (PLNU-MT) def. Max Nudell/Alec Wong (SSU) 8-4

Match Notes:
Sonoma State 11-4
Point Loma 10-5
Order of finish: Doubles (3,1,2); Singles (2,3,1)
T-3:04