WALLA WALLA, Wash. -- George Fox lost a nail-biter in Walla Walla today as the Whitman Blues took the match 4-3.
How it Happened
Ikuho Ebisu and
Lars Schmassmann kicked things off for the Bruins when they played the No. 16 ranked doubles duo in the nation. They played well to win two games, but couldn't hold on and lost 6-2.
Keita Shoji and
Zach Moore were the lone victors in doubles play, winning their match 6-3. Whitman secured the point after
Jackson Whittaker and
Luis Hernandez lost the final doubles match 6-2.
While the doubles matches were close, the singles matches were even closer - four of the six matches needed a third set to decide the victor. Schmassmann started things off against Whitman's Alexander Stage, losing 2-6, 6-3, 1-6 after a highly contested match. Schmassmann played well, especially considering Stage is a part of the ranked doubles team.
Zach Moore played the best match of the day for the Bruins. The sophomore, ranked No. 36 in the ITA DIII singles rankings, took down No. 16 Cameron Yang in two sets. The two are the only ranked singles players in the Northwest Conference, with Moore taking today's match 6-2, 6-3.
Keita Shoji and
Jackson Whittaker picked up two more points in the No. 4 and No. 5 singles spots for the Bruins - both in three sets. Shoji lost his first set 7-5 in a tight back-and-forth battle, before winning the second and third sets 6-3, 6-0 to finish off the match. Whittaker, on the other hand, won his first set 6-0, lost his second in a close 6-4 set, and then won the tie-breaker 6-4 to secure the Bruins third point.
Ikuho Ebisu and
Luis Hernandez rounded things off for the Bruins, both losing their matches in the No. 3 singles and No. 6 singles spots. Ebisu got beat 6-1, 6-4, and Hernandez lost the match sealing point 6-4, 0-6, 2-6, as the Bruins lost their first conference match of the season.
The team has another chance against Whitman at home on April 5th at 11:00 AM. But for now, the Bruins look to use this match as fuel to help gain momentum in the remainder of conference play.
What Happens Next
The Bruins travel to Whitworth tomorrow, March 2nd to face the Pirates at 11:00 AM.
