By: Ryan Lackey
PORTLAND, Ore. --- The Bruins scratched out their 12th win of the season on Saturday in particularly epic fashion, winning 5-4 over Lewis & Clark thanks to some truly impassioned individual performances.
A glance at the score sheet spotlights Spencer Watanabe, who triumphed in a thrilling, three-set #1 singles match that head coach Neal Ninteman called "clutch . . . intense"; Watanabe won 6-4, 2-6, 6-3. Along with partner Andy You, Watanabe also played fluidly in the #1 doubles match, combining with You masterfully, but Lewis & Clark took that match, 8-4.
Watanabe's singles match, notably, was the last played, which mean's Watanabe's victory was essentially a walk-off win, and the Bruins were understandably elated. As Ninteman depicts, "the drama was intense, with the team rushing the court and mobbing Spencer after the final shot," and the resultant Bruin victory.
Nick Grafton, too, had a standout day, playing what Ninteman declared "inspired" tennis that helped "lead the charge." In his #4 singles match, Grafton appeared composed and tactically savvy, taking the match 6-4, 6-4. Playing alongside Vincent Viloria – who later lost the #5 singles 6-1, 6-1 – Grafton maintained his high-level play as the Bruins claimed the #3 doubles match, 8-4.
Ninteman emphasized, however, rather emphatically that Saturday's win was a team-win. "Down 1-2 after doubles, and in their building, we had a big mountain ahead of us," he said. But, the team "showed terrific grit and battled their way to victory."
Indeed, the term of the day for the Bruins should be "grit," and the Bruins' resilience highlighted. After Chris Lilley and Chace Stalcup uncharacteristically dropped the #2 doubles match, 8-2, Stalcup rallied the team, and Lilley played a stellar #2 singles match, holding off furious comeback attempts to see out his 7-6, 6-4 win.
In a similar vein, Andy You, after losing the #2 doubles, was nearly untouchable in the #3 singles, winning 6-2, 6-1. Even in a losing effort, Nick Ekern in the #6 singles match, put in a good shift, battling well in his 6-4, 6-2 loss.
Now at 12-6 with the victory, the Bruins are in excellent shape as they head into a crucial date at Linfield tomorrow afternoon.
