Feb. 11, 2012

Results

STOCKTON, Calif. - The Lions fought off a valiant effort by the University of Pacific to win 4-3. LMU had strong efforts from all of its players, leading the team to its second victory of the young season. Sebastian Bustamante and Nicholas Bjerke lead the way with wins in both singles and doubles competiton. When asked about the Lions performance, head coach Brad Sceney stated, "it was pleasing to get a win after a few narrow losses last week."

The men began the match by gaining a valuable point in doubles. Alex Wilton and Nick Northcott lead off with a loss to the team of Golding and Castro, 8-2. The Lions then rallied. Todd Volmari and Felix Van Kann defeated Cederwall and Hamilton, 8-6. Their win was followed by Bjerke and Bustamante's victory over Grenwal and Krzyszkowski, 8-5 earning LMU the needed point. Sceney stated, "the doubles point proved critical in the end."

Singles play started with a loss for the Lions as Wilton fell to Castro 6-1, 6-1. Volmari then defeated Krzyszkowski 2-6, 7-5, 6-2 as LMU regained the lead in the match. Northcott lost to Hamilton 2-6, 7-6, 6-4. Van Kann then beat Cederwall 7-6, 7-5. Bjerke won the match for LMU with a 2-6, 7-5, 6-2 comeback victory over Krzyszkowski. Bustamante lost to Mirkin 4-6, 7-6, 6-0 in the final singles contest of the day.

The Lions showed great heart and determination in winning the back and forth match. Todd Volmari got his first singles win of the season after "competing well in all of his other matches so far," stated Sceney. The head coach also commended the great comeback by Bjerke as "critical" to the Lions' success.

Coming off of four consecutive losses, Sceney switched his doubles combinations to give the Lions a stronger start. Sceney mentioned the he will continue to "switch up the (doubles) combinations until we feel we can get three the gel well together."

The Lions' road trip to the Bay Area concludes Sunday afternoon at UC Davis. The match will begin at noon.

Doubles competition:

1. Nicholas Bjerke/Sebastian Bustamante (LMU) def. Jainendra Grewal/ Tomasz Krzyszkowski (Pacific) 8-5

2. Ivan Castro/Alex Golding (Pacific) def. Alex Wilton/Nick Northcott (LMU) 8-2

3. Todd Volmari/Felix Van Kann (LMU) def. Alex Hamilton/Erik Cederwall (Pacific) 8-6

Singles competition:

1. Ivan Castro (Pacific) def. Alex Wilton (LMU) 6-1, 6-1

2. Nicholas Bjerke (LMU) def. Tomasz Krzyszkowski (Pacific) 2-6, 7-5, 6-2

3. Todd Volmari (LMU) def. Alex Golding (Pacific) 7-6(6), 6-1

4. Ben Mirkin (Pacific) def. Sebastian Bustamante (LMU) 4-6, 7-6, 6-0

5. Felix Van Kann (LMU) def. Erik Cederwall (Pacific) 7-6, 7-5

6. Alex Hamilton (Pacific) def. Nick Northcott (LMU) 2-6, 7-6(6), 6-3

-GO LIONS-