SURPRISE, Ariz. – The Sea Lions met the Azusa Pacific Cougars for the third time this season in the opening round of the PacWest Tennis Championship. No. 6 Point Loma was the underdog facing off with No. 3 APU with both of the previous meetings going in favor of the Cougars, 4-0. PLNU was able to earn the tough doubles point, but APU came away with the 4-1 win.
 
The Cougars were the first to strike in the match, taking the No. 2 doubles match easily, 6-2. The All-PacWest doubles team of Thomas Dafcik and Yuki Okamoto were able to even the match with a 6-4 win at No. 1 doubles. Mark Penner and Mark Vasat battled on court three pushing the match to a tiebreak, winning the tiebreak point in dramatic fashion (7-5), and gave the Sea Lions the doubles point.
 
With the momentum in favor of the Sea Lions the match went to singles play, but the Cougars were not phased as they threw the early punch. Azusa Pacific earned quick wins at Nos. 3 and 5 singles to take the 2-1 lead, but Point Loma would not lay down. Scott Wheeler took the first set from his opponent before falling in three sets, putting the Cougars just one point away from securing the win. Jasdeep Paintal fell in his first set but battle back to force a third set before falling 1-6, 6-4, 4-6, with APU clinching the match.
 
Team Records
Point Loma 8-9, Azusa Pacific 22-2

Wheeler's Words
On the team's performance against a top-ranked opponent: "The guys had a great performance today against APU. We had a lot of close matches that could have gone either way. Even though we lost, it was our best tennis of the season as a team. Hopefully we can continue this play tomorrow against Biola. The strong singles efforts today were due to guys playing smart and patient tennis in tough conditions."

On being prepared for Biola tomorrow: "The team needs to be ready for a tough matchup against Biola tomorrow. Starting out matches strongly will be very important. We know our opponents game style well so it will come down to executing well."

News and Notes
> Neither Vasat or Soderman earned more than one point in either of their sets.  
> This was the first time this season that the Sea Lions earned a point against the Cougars.
> Point Loma has three different singles players who have won three or fewer singles matches this season.
 
Up Next
The Sea Lions drop into the consolation bracket of the tournament with the loss. They will face Biola tomorrow at 9 a.m.  
 
Results
Box score