The University of Portland’s men’s tennis team defeated its third nationally-ranked opponent of the 2005 dual season with an exclamation point, trouncing No. 70 Montana State (14-6, 4-0 Big Sky) by a score of 7-0 on Sunday afternoon. The win improves the Pilots’ record to 17-4 on the season and 3-3 against ranked opponents.

Pilot pairs emerged victorious in two of the three doubles matches, winning the doubles point for Portland. In the No. 1 position, Matthew Loucks and James Redpath won their 17th doubles match of the season by a score of 8-4. In the No. 3 position, Roman Borvanov and Alex Strom won 8-2, improving the duo’s doubles record to a spotless 5-0.

Portland then proceeded to chalk up wins in all six singles matches. The top five positions were all won by Pilots in straight sets, and Scott Kennel needed a tiebreaker to score a 7-5, 2-6, (10-7) victory in the No. 6 position.

“I am really proud of how we finished up the regular season,” Portland head coach Aaron Gross said after the match. “To defeat another ranked team today in convincing fashion is really a great cap to our year.”

The Pilots head into the WCC Championship with several players riding hot streaks. Playing mostly in the No. 3 position, Redpath has won his last eight singles matches and 19 of 21 this season.

“Redpath has just been phenomenal this year,” Gross said. “Our team has so much confidence in him. I can’t wait to see what he will show us next year.”

Borvanov is riding a five match winning streak and sports a 17-2 overall singles record. He was elevated to the No. 1 position on Saturday and Sunday, winning both matches.

“(Borvanov) has been such a huge part of our program,” Gross said. “It will be hard to imagine him not with us next year. He has been just the consummate professional.”

Having just completed the regular season, Portland will concentrate on gearing up for the 2005 WCC Tennis Championship. The tournament is slated to begin April 22 in Malibu, Calif.