SURPRISE, Ariz. -  The Sea Lions faced the Eagles of Concordia, Irvine on Saturday afternoon for an opportunity take third place in the PacWest Tennis Championships. The teams met twice this season with each team earning a win on their home court. Playing to clinch, the Eagles put together solid doubles play to take the 2-1 lead early and the Sea Lions were unable to recover in singles competition. 

It would be Point Loma who earned the first point of the match when Brendon Millington and Jack Alston took their doubles match 8-5 to put the team up 1-0. Both No. 2 and No. 3 doubles were battles, but the Eagles would come away with wins in both matches by a score of 8-6 in both. Concordia took the 2-1 lead into singles competition and would push their momentum into the second half of the match. 

The Eagles would earn a quick victory at No. 6 singles, 6-0, 6-2, to put their lead at 3-1 before Point Loma earned two wins to even the match at 3-3. Thomas Dafcik would be the first Sea Lion to earn a point in singles play taking his match 6-3, 6-2. Millington would be the next to finish his match earning a win in three sets, 6-1, 3-6, 6-0, putting PLNU back in contention with the match score at 3-3. Despite two solid wins for Point Loma, the Eagles bounced back quickly with a win at No. 4 singles 6-4, 6-4 putting them within one point of of the win. Concordia would clinch the match in No. 5 singles in a three set battle where Thomas Kyle earned the 6-2, 2-6, 6-2 win over CJ Erion. 

Team Records
Point Loma 14-8, Concordia, Irvine 8-12

Wheeler's Words
On the tough doubles matches: "The guys lost tough doubles matches at #2 and #3 today. Both teams came out of the gates playing aggressively and dictating play which resulted in early leads. Concordia's teams made adjustments and we were not able to match those."

On the early singles wins: "Thomas and Brendon both got strong singles wins for us today which got us back into the match. Their consistency at the top of our lineup has been one of our strengths this year."

On the season overall: "The guys definitely had a great season this year. Our team singles play was a big strength for us this year. We were able to win many matches even when we trailed after doubles. As the season went on our improved doubles play also contributed to a few key team wins including UCSD and Sonoma State. On any given day I believe my guys can compete with any team in the region or the nation."

Up Next
The Sea Lions now wait to see if they will earn a bid to the NCAA tournament, the selection show will air on Tuesday at 5 p.m. PDT.    

Concordia, Irvine 5, Point Loma 3
Singles competition
1. #34 Thomas Dafcik (PLNU-MT) def. Florian Mayer (CUI-MT) 6-3, 6-2
2. Brendon Millington (PLNU-MT) def. Joseph Bray (CUI-MT) 6-1, 3-6, 6-0
3. Yuki Okamoto (PLNU-MT) vs. Nakita Katsnelson (CUI-MT) 4-6, 5-5, unfinished
4. Daniel Reddmann (CUI-MT) def. Jack Alston (PLNU-MT) 6-4, 6-4
5. Thomas Kyle (CUI-MT) def. CJ Erion (PLNU-MT) 6-2, 2-6, 6-2
6. Man Hon Ko (CUI-MT) def. Tim Soderman (PLNU-MT) 6-0, 6-2

Doubles competition
1. Brendon Millington/Jack Alston (PLNU-MT) def. Florian Mayer/Daniel Reddmann (CUI-MT) 8-5
2. Nakita Katsnelson/Shimon Murakami (CUI-MT) def. Thomas Dafcik/Yuki Okamoto (PLNU-MT) 8-6
3. Thomas Kyle/Man Hon Ko (CUI-MT) def. CJ Erion/Grant Alston (PLNU-MT) 8-6

Match Notes:
Concordia, Irvine 8-12; Regional ranking #5
Point Loma 14-8; Regional ranking #6
Order of finish: Doubles (1,3,2); Singles (6,1,2,4,5)
PacWest Men's Tennis Championship - 3rd Place
Point Loma is the #3 Seed
Concordia is the #5 Seed