Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 The Whitman College men's tennis team hit the road for a pair of matches on Saturday, first topping Whitworth 5-4 in non-conference play before falling at Division I Eastern Washington this afternoon, 7-0.
 
SPOKANE, Wash. - The win over the Pirates was the first of the season for the Blues (1-4).
 
The match was as exciting as they come. After the Blues dropped their first two doubles matches, they needed a point heading to singles play. Aaron Yuan and Aidan Schutter came through on the No. 3 court, beating Jonathan Hutley and Ethan Warring, 8-5, to head into singles down only one point. 
 
Whitman opened singles play with the first three matches going its way. Harshvardhan Chopra evened the score with a dominant 6-2, 6-3 win at the one over Ethan Violette. After Yuan won his second match of the day, Lucas Huang topped Hutley in three sets at second singles to put the Blues firmly ahead.
 
The match-clincher came at fifth singles. Jasraj Sethi took down Payton Romey on the No. 5 court, 6-1, 6-2 for the winning fifth point.
 
CHENEY, Wash. - Whitman found the second half of the day very challenging but nevertheless put out a great competitive effort. Coach Northam fielded a brand new lineup who fell behind after doubles play when EWU won the doubles point.
 
The closest singles matches came on the No. 1 and No. 2 courts. Kai Strawn fell to Wout Doumen at the one, 6-2, 6-2 with Braeden Thomas falling 6-4, 6-2 at the two to Manuel Balce.
 
Whitman returns to the court next Saturday, Feb. 26 with matches at Lewis-Clark State and Idaho.