(SAN DIEGO) After a pair of losses for PLNU Men's Tennis in Fresno this past weekend, with the Sea Lions hampered by injuries, Point Loma was in danger of a third-straight defeat on Monday against Hawai'i Hilo.
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But the Sea Lions rallied from a 1-3 deficit to win the final three singles matches and defeat the Vulcans.
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Point Loma took the doubles point with a pair of 6-3 victories by
Elias Weeks and
David Strassburger at No. 2 and
Andrew Suver and
Lukas Schuster at No. 3.
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Hilo then took control of the match, however, by winning the first three singles matches to be completed, including one via injury retirement.
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That meant PLNU had to win the final three matchups on Courts 3, 4 and 6 to avoid losing.
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At No. 3, Suver won the first set 6-3 but trailed 2-5 in the second set. He then required medical attention after slipping on the baseline while changing direction, but he returned to the court in inspired form, winning five-straight games to clinch a 6-2, 7-5 victory.
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After splitting his first two sets at No. 6, Weeks (6-3, 2-6, 6-2) was in firm control in the third set before a lengthy medical timeout for his opponent. That didn't slow his momentum though, as back-to-back forehand winners tied the overall matchup and left the Sea Lions' fate up to
Matt Melosch at No. 4.
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Like Weeks, Melosch's match also required three sets. With the third set tied at 5-5, Melosch earned a crucial break of serve to go ahead 6-5. He then charged the net for a volley to set up match point, which he won with a forehand winner to put the finishing touches on a 6-2, 4-6, 7-5 victory.
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Point Loma (8-5 overall) returns to the PLNU Tennis Courts on Thursday at 5 p.m. to take on NCAA Division III Linfield.
