Sweep PLU!

I must admit I was worried going into our match with PLU. Don't get me wrong I always look forward to playing PLU because historically they produce some wonderful matches. Yesterday I worried about how the guys would play after a very tough academic week. The week before spring break (Whitman has a two-week break) is always one of the toughest weeks of the year. This year seemed worse than most: almost everyone on the team was staying up late studying, working on papers and/or preparing for tests. I doubt that anyone on the team had a good night's sleep all week and I was worried how everyone would respond to the intense academic week.

Four weeks ago we played PLU in Tacoma and narrowly escaped with a win. In that match we were down 2-4 and ended up winning the last three matches in three sets. Also in that match we started off flat in doubles and ended up trailing 1-2. Yesterday we were determined to start off with more energy and try to grab the lead after doubles.

Wasn't perfect weather for the match (winds over 20 mph and very cloudy) but we were determined to play outside. Neither the wind or the efforts of the Lutes would deny our efforts in doubles. We jumped out to quick leads at #2 and #3 doubles. At #2 doubles Christoph and Quin jumped out to a two-break lead and was the first off the court with a 8-4 win. At #3 Jake and Jeffrey continued their strong play posting a 8-3 victory. At #1 Matt and Etienne were locked in a battle with the #12 ranked team in the nation. At one point midway through the match Matt and ET broke to take the lead. However the Lute #1 team immediately broke back to even the match. Later at 5-5 ET was serving at 40-15 only get broke giving PLU the momentum and lead. However Matt and ET kept their composure to immediately break back. At 7-8 the talented PLU tandem head served to force a tie-break. At this point the clouds opened up, the rain came down and the temp dropped from 60 to 38. The teams moved indoors to play the tie-break. In the tie-break the PLU came out firing...outdoors they were spinning in serves and working the point. Indoors they were bombing serves. In fact both of the PLU guys bombed first serves and took a 4-2 lead. As the Lute team raised their level of play so did Matt and ET. Even as the PLU continued to play huge tennis the Whitman pair won the next five points to win the breaker 7-4.

In singles we swept every match without losing a set! Christoph gave us a 4-0 team lead with a 6-1, 6-2 win at #4. It was fitting that Matt sealed the team win with a 6-1, 6-4 win over 2009 NWC Player of the Year Joel Trudel. A month ago Trudel defeated Matt 6-0, 6-2. Yesterday Matt raced out to a 6-1, 5-1 (Trudel serving) before closing out the match 6-1, 6-4. Matt showed a lot of pride brushing off his previous defeat to defeat his nationally ranked opponent. At #2 Jeffrey had a rematch with an opponent that had defeated him in Tacoma. Jeffrey played his most complete match of the year winning 6-4, 6-3. I was show proud of the way he competed and his tactics. Chris won a very competitive match at #4 6-3, 6-3. Sam and Jasper completed the sweep winning 6-1, 6-1 and 6-2, 6-1.

I must say that PLU was missing two players. However take nothing away from our efforts. We played with Etienne (in singles) and won at three positions that we lost last time we played PLU.

We continue our spring break trip with a noon match against UPS. Immediately following the match we drive to Portland where we will play five matches in three days.

Whitman 9 PLU 0