By Roy Elia

WALLA WALLA - No. 7 regionally- and No. 16-nationally ranked Whitman claimed its third straight sweep of a Northwest Conference men's tennis opponent and its fourth victory overall Saturday afternoon in its 2014 home opener at the Bratton Tennis Center.

After turning the trick on the road against Linfield and Willamette last weekend, the Missionaries staged a repeat performance with a 9-0 triumph over No. 11 regionally-ranked George Fox.

Whitman improved to 3-0 in the NWC and 4-1 overall while the Bruins, who were second in last year's conference race, slipped to 2-1 and 2-2.

The Missionaries began their day by sweeping three doubles matches. Most notable was a gutty effort by Andy Riggs and Jake Hoeger, who outlasted George Fox's Preston Mann and Chancy Stalcup in the No. 2 slot, 9-7.

Riggs and Hoeger were down a break early in the match, but broke back and eventually forged a 7-7 tie before holding serve and registering a break to end the match.

"Jake and Andy managed to battle back," Whitman coach Jeff Northam said. "There was a lot of drama. It was more intense and was fun for the guys."  

Whitman put the team head-to-head battle on ice when Colton Malesovas and Steven Roston took singles victories at No. 1 and No. 3, respectively. Malesovas, who also teamed up with Andrew La Cava for a win at No. 1 doubles, downed Justin McClain, 6-4, 6-3 for the clincher and Roston bested Mann, 6-3, 6-1.

"It's always good to get in front of our home crowd and shake the jitters out," Malesovas said. "We were all excited. George Fox is our biggest in-conference rival."

Two of the Missionaries singles conquests - at No. 4 and No. 5 - went three sets. Freshman Petar Jivkov rallied from a one-set deficit for a 6-7(7-3), 7-5, 10-5 victory over Stalcup at No. 4 and James Rivers outstroked Mitchell Miyashiro, 6-4, 6-7(7-4), 10-6.

"Pete won three straight games (to take the second set)," Northam said. "For him to get through was great - especially early in the season.

"There were a few close sets," Northam said of the day's play. "It was a good, competitive match. George Fox is always fiery and always enjoys playing us."

Whitman hosts Lewis & Clark Sunday at 10 a.m.     

Match Results