SURPRISE, Ariz. -  Point Loma faced a tough test on Thursday afternoon as they took on the Sharks of Hawaii Pacific, the four-time defending PacWest champions. With the win the Sea Lions head to the tournament semifinals where they will face Azusa Pacific, less than a week since they faced off in the last match of the regular season. APU has taken both regular season meetings this year and the Sea Lions will have an opportunity to play upset en route to a berth in the championship game. 

Point Loma struggled to begin the match and found themselves down 2-1 after doubles competition. Yuki Okamoto and Thomas Dafcik secured the only doubles win for the Sea Lions as they won their match 8-3. The Sharks would also take the first two singles matches pushing their lead to 4-1, needing only one point to clinch the match and the upset. It was Point Loma, though, who found a way to win by taking the last four singles matches and winning the match 5-4. 

Tim Soderman would earn the first singles win for Point Loma, winning 6-4, 6-4, to cut the HPU lead to 4-2. The last three Sea Lion wins all came in three set battles beginning with Okamoto who won 3-6, 6-3, 6-3, narrowing the Sharks lead to 4-3. CJ Erion would even the match 4-4 after securing a win at No. 5 singles, 6-4, 3-6, 6-3. Thomas Dafcik was in a heated battle all afternoon, dropping his first set 3-6 but turned around and earned a 6-4 win in the second. The third set would go to a tiebreak and after a 2-2 tie Dafcik was able to win four of the next five points and eventually win the tiebreak 7-4 to take the match. 

Team Records
Point Loma 14-7, Hawaii Pacific 1-13

Wheeler's Words
On showing great resilience under pressure to come away with a win: "The guys comeback today was incredible. They came out tentative in doubles and in the beginning of singles, and with the extremely difficult wind conditions, it resulted in a loss of confidence in their ability. It would have been very easy to give in and give up but the guys hung in there found their confidence as the match went on. That fighting spirit was contagious to the remaining courts and gave momentum to the guys. I am proud of them trusting their game and having confidence in their ability when it matters the most."

On the program's first win over HPU: "It feels great to get our first win over HPU. For the past few years HPU has been national championship caliber team which makes this win even sweeter"

On the tough matchup with APU tomorrow: "The guys have a tough match scheduled with APU tomorrow in the semifinals. Coming out and getting a lead from doubles play going into singles will be critical tomorrow. Playing APU less than a week ago, we know what to expect. We are looking forward to the challenge."

On Thomas' effort to clinch the match: "Thomas has been great this year under pressure resulting in some clutch wins for our team. Thomas does a tremendous job of staying calm and focused in the big moments of the match. Thomas plays without fear and with confidence which allows him to embrace and look forward to the close matches. Thomas winning these matches have been a big part of our team success this year."

Up Next
Point Loma will face a familiar foe tomorrow as they will go up against the Azusa Pacific Cougars, the match is scheduled to start at 1:30 p.m.   

Point Loma 5, Hawai'i Pacific 4
Singles competition
1. #34 Thomas Dafcik (PLNU-MT) def. Maxime Gayte (HPU-MT) 3-6, 6-4, 7-6 (7-4)
2. Benjamin Loccisano (HPU-MT) def. Brendon Millington (PLNU-MT) 6-3, 6-3
3. Yuki Okamoto (PLNU-MT) def. Gerardo Irrarrazabal (HPU-MT) 3-6, 6-3, 6-3
4. Juan Erro (HPU-MT) def. Jack Alston (PLNU-MT) 6-2, 6-3
5. CJ Erion (PLNU-MT) def. Jack Lyttle (HPU-MT) 6-4, 3-6, 6-3
6. Tim Soderman (PLNU-MT) def. Adrian Elduque (HPU-MT) 6-4, 6-4

Doubles competition
1. Maxime Gayte/Gerardo Irrarrazabal (HPU-MT) def. Brendon Millington/Jack Alston (PLNU-MT) 8-4
2. Thomas Dafcik/Yuki Okamoto (PLNU-MT) def. Benjamin Loccisano/Juan Erro (HPU-MT) 8-3
3. Jack Lyttle/Adrian Elduque (HPU-MT) def. CJ Erion/Grant Alston (PLNU-MT) 8-5

Match Notes:
Hawai'i Pacific 1-13; Regional ranking #2
Point Loma 14-7; Regional ranking #6
Order of finish: Doubles (1,2,3); Singles (2,4,6,3,5,1)
PacWest Men's Tennis Quarterfinals
Point Loma is the #3 Seed
Hawai'i Pacific is the #6 Seed