TUALATIN, Ore. - In an early-season slugfest with serious Northwest Conference Tournament implications, the George Fox University Bruins, ranked 11th in the NCAA Division III West Region by the ITA, claimed a gritty 6-3 victory over the Lewis & Clark College Pioneers, ranked 20th in the West, Sunday afternoon here at the Stafford Hills Tennis Club.

For the second straight match, George Fox claimed an early advantage after doubles play as the Bruins' 11th-ranked West Region duo of Chris Lilley and Justin McClain posted an impressive 8-4 victory over Kevin Ross and Michael Brewer at the #1 position.  Ross and Brewer hung tough until midway through the match when Lilley and McClain caught fire and never looked back, unleashing a barrage of returns and massive serves that ultimately proved to be too much for the Pios.

George Fox scored its next point at #3 doubles as the eclectic pairing of Mitchell Miyashiro and Nick Grafton claimed a resounding 8-1 victory over Cameron Smith and Carter Gee-Taylor. At the #2 doubles position, the Bruin tandem of Chace Stalcup and Preston Mann fell 9-7 to Daniel Hahm and Morgan Joyce. Stalcup led the team with clutch serving to a 7-7 tie before the Bruins lost the next two games.

Moving into singles play with a 2-1 lead, George Fox knew they were still dealing with a dangerous team. On the previous day, Lewis and Clark had faced a 2-1 deficit against the Pacific Lutheran Lutes before sweeping the singles matches and claiming a 7-2 victory, and early on, it seemed as if the Pios were vying for a similar comeback against the Bruins. Brewer jumped out to an early 6-0, 5-1 lead on McClain before the Bruin senior mounted a ferocious comeback.  Down double match point at 15-40, McClain valiantly clawed his way back into the match to force a second set tiebreaker, but ultimately came a few points short as Brewer prevailed 6-1,7-6 (7-4). Lewis and Clark then claimed another victory at #4 singles when Joyce fought off Stalcup 6-4, 6-2, giving the Pios a 3-2 advantage.

Facing the first deficit against D-III competition of their young 2013-14 campaign, the Bruins looked to veterans Lilley and Mann to put the team back on track. Mann took the first set at #3 singles 6-2 over Hahm before dropping the next 4-6. Meanwhile, Lilley was engaged in a chess match with Ross at the #2 position. The two All-Conference players traded barbs before Lilley was able to win the match 6-4, 6-4, knotting the score at 3-3.

The focus quickly shifted to the critical third-set battle on court four, where Mann's Bruin teammates carried him with overwhelming support to a decisive 6-1 victory, putting the Bruins up 4-3.  Reflecting on the pivotal win, Bruin head coach Neal Ninteman commented, “Great champions have a knack for rising up and coming through when it counts; Preston is one of those guys and that's exactly what he did today.”

Needing one more win to clinch the team victory, George Fox looked to freshman Grafton and sophomore Miyashiro at #5 and #6 singles to seal the deal. What the two lacked in experience, they made up for in outstanding play. After each won their first sets, Grafton finally delivered the Bruins the team victory with a 6-3 final set.  Buoyed by the vociferous teammate support that has become a hallmark of the George Fox men's tennis team, Miyashiro delivered a 6-2, 6-2 victory.

Team co-captain Mann observed, “Both Mitch and Nick played with ice water in their veins. With the match on the line, they delivered. Those guys came up huge today.”

Ninteman added, “I love these guys.  I am so proud of what they did today, showing a tremendous amount of mental toughness and courage in pulling out a tough win over a very strong opponent.” 

NEXT: George Fox (2-1, NWC 2-0) makes the eastern Washington swing next weekend, playing at Whitman College Saturday at 11:00 a.m. and at Whitworth University Sunday at 12:00 noon … Lewis & Clark (1-3, NWC 1-1) plays at Whitworth Saturday at 11:00 a.m.