OJAI TOURNAMENT: Bruins Win Pair of Singles Matches in “Backdraw” of Ojai Tourney

PORT HUENEME, Calif. – Closing out their stay in the 112th Annual Ojai Valley Tennis Tournament on a more positive note than the first day, the George Fox University Bruins picked up a pair of singles wins on Saturday in the "backdraw" bracket of the NCAA Division III Men's Tournament for those who had lost in the opening rounds on Friday.

Due to rain delays earlier the tournament, the "backdraw" format was altered to single sets only, and the Bruins picked up wins when Drew Milton defeated Parker Larsen of the University of California-Santa Cruz 6-4, and Justin McClain downed Frankie Allinson of Pomona-Pitzer Colleges 6-4.  Milton then fell to Coonor Hudson of Pomona-Pitze 7-5 and McClain was ousted by Darren Dahl of the University of Redlands 7-5.

"Drew and Justin each added to their strong seasons with impressive victories," said George Fox coach Neal Ninteman.  "I believe that Justin's win was the first-ever victory by a George Fox player over a Pomona-Pitzer opponent."

Two other Bruins dropped their opening matches on Saturday.  Shawn Aldrich fell 6-3 to Erik Rosner of Cal-Santa Cruz, and Preston Mann dropped a 7-5 decision to Kevin Wei of Pomona-Pitzer.

As a result of Saturday's efforts, the Bruins finished with a 2-8 record in the singles portion of the tournament.  They were 0-2 in Friday's first-round doubles. 

NEXT: George Fox had been scheduled to play at Biola University and Hope International University Monday, but the matches were postponed due to some schedule conflicts at Biola and HIU.  They will try again Tuesday to play before the Bruins head home to Oregon on Wednesday.