SURPRISE, Ariz. -  It was a familiar storyline on Friday afternoon as the Sea Lions competed against a tough team in Azusa Pacific. The 14th-ranked  team in the country has been an Achilles heel for Point Loma all season as they just have not been able to find a way to win against the Cougars. The Sea Lions were able to take a match in doubles play for their only point of the day, falling 5-1, and will now play for third place against the Eagles of Concordia-Irvine tomorrow afternoon. 

The Sea Lions stayed competitive during doubles play, Thomas Dafcik and Yuki Okamoto were able to come away with the 8-4 win at No. 2 doubles to put Point Loma on the board. CJ Erion and Grant Alston battled in their doubles match but fell 8-4 to give the Cougars the lead heading into singles play. Once in singles play, APU was in their element where they have three players ranked in the top 50 singles players in the country. They earned their first win at No. 6 singles where Tim Soderman fell 6-2, 6-2 to put APU up 3-1. Dafcik was the next to fall, playing against the third-ranked player in the country, he battled but Oliver Frank took the match 6-2, 6-3. The match was clinched on court two where Brendon Millington fell 6-1, 6-2. 

Team Records
Point Loma 14-7, Azusa Pacific 24-2

Wheeler's Words
On the team's resiliency against a tough opponent: "The guys put up a great effort today against a national championship caliber team in APU. They fought hard for every point and stayed mentally tough but were simply outplayed. I was pleased with how well we competed especially coming off such an emotional win the day before."

On the performance of Yuki and Thomas in doubles: "Yuki and Thomas played great today in doubles and kept us in the match going into singles. They have really hit their stride at the end of the season and have been playing great doubles together."

On being prepared for tomorrow's match: "Being the third time we play Concordia this year, the guys know what to expect which means it will come down to execution. Getting the lead from doubles play will be an important key in the match tomorrow. They will be ready to play."

Up Next
Point Loma will once again see a familiar opponent when they face the Concordia-Irvine Eagles tomorrow afternoon. The teams split their season series with the Sea Lions winning the most recent match 5-4.   

#14 Azusa Pacific 5, Point Loma 1
Singles competition
1. #3 Oliver Frank (APUM) def. #34 Thomas Dafcik (PLNU-MT) 6-2, 6-3
2. #36 Christian Schmid (APUM) def. Brendon Millington (PLNU-MT) 6-1, 6-2
3. #43 Jakob Schnaitter (APUM) vs. Yuki Okamoto (PLNU-MT) 7-5, 2-1, unfinished
4. Ryan Nuno (APUM) vs. Jack Alston (PLNU-MT) 6-4, 3-2, unfinished
5. Alan Leahy (APUM) vs. CJ Erion (PLNU-MT) 7-5, unfinished
6. Tony Pejic (APUM) def. Tim Soderman (PLNU-MT) 6-2, 6-2

Doubles competition
1. Oliver Frank/Jakob Schnaitter (APUM) def. Brendon Millington/Jack Alston (PLNU-MT) 8-2
2. Thomas Dafcik/Yuki Okamoto (PLNU-MT) def. Tony Pejic/Christian Schmid (APUM) 8-4
3. Jesse Haas/Ryan Nuno (APUM) def. CJ Erion/Grant Alston (PLNU-MT) 8-4

Match Notes:
Point Loma 14-8
Azusa Pacific 24-2; National ranking #14
Order of finish: Doubles (1,2,3); Singles (6,1,2)
PacWest Men's Tennis Championship Semifinals
Azusa Pacific is the #2 Seed
Point Loma is the #3 Seed