PORTLAND — The Portland men’s tennis team started the 2011 spring campaign with back-to-back victories, which were capped off today in a 6-1 win over the visiting Eastern Washington Eagles. Freshman Michel Hu Kwo impressed in doubles and singles action picking up victories in both.
Building on a strong debut in fall tournament action, which saw Hu Kwo post an 8-4 record, the freshman picked up his second dual victory in the No. 5 singles position. The 6-2, 6-1 victory for Hu Kwo was his second of the afternoon as he and fellow freshman Justin Guay delivered the Pilots an 8-4 victory at No. 2 doubles over Mario Navarro and James Russell.
The Pilots secured the doubles point by sweeping the Eagles with 8-4 scores in all three doubles matches.
After dropping his dual season opener yesterday against Weber State, senior Bryan Thorp defeated Eastern Washington’s Fernando Mussolini in two sets. The victory also evened the score for Thorp with Mussolini, who defeated Thorp in three sets at the Boise State Fall Classic in October of 2010.
“We had a solid weekend of tennis to begin this year,” said Pilots head coach Aaron Gross. “We played much better doubles all the way through. Bryan Thorp bounced back nicely from a tough loss yesterday to have a good win at No. 1 today. Michel Hu Kwo was very impressive in singles, as well. We fired on all cylinders today and when we do that on our home courts I think we are tough to beat.”
Also impressive early in the season has been Pilot freshman Ratan Gill who picked up a two set victory over Julian Sanchez at No. 4 singles. Gill, the West Coast Conference’s November Player of the Month, recorded his second dual victory and overall victory number 12 as he extended his winning streak to seven straight matches.
With the victory the Pilots improve to 2-0, while the loss drops Eastern Washington’s record to 2-3.
The Pilot men continue the 2011 dual season on Friday February 4, as they play host to the Idaho Vandals inside the Louisiana-Pacific Tennis Center at 2 p.m.
Portland (2-0) 6
Eastern Washington (2-3) 1
Singles
1: Bryan Thorp (UP) def. Fernando Mussolini (EWU) 6-2, 7-5
2: Mario Navarro (EWU) def. Alex Ferrero (UP) 2-6, 6-4, 6-4
3: Geoff Hernandez (UP) def. Stefan Simikic (EWU) 6-3, 7-6
4: Ratan Gill (UP) def. Julian Sanchez (EWU) 6-4, 6-2
5: Michel Hu Kwo (UP) def. Chad Henninger (EWU) 6-2, 6-1
6: Jackson Martin (UP) def. James Russell (EWU) 6-2, 6-4
Doubles
1: Alex Ferrero/Nick Wales (UP) def. Fernando Mussolini/Julian Sanchez (EWU) 8-4
2: Michel Hu Kwo/Justin Guay (UP) def. Mario Navarro/James Russell (EWU) 8-4
3: Geoff Hernandez/Ratan Gill (UP) def. Chad Henninger/Kyle Koetje (EWU) 8-4
