PORTLAND — Pilot junior Geoff Hernandez went 2-0 in Portland’s 6-1 victory over Gonzaga. Hernandez helped Portland earn two points with a point securing doubles victory and a dominating two set victory at No. 3 singles. 

“We played solid today,” said Pilots head coach Aaron Gross. “Once again we had four freshmen in our singles line-up and all of them came through.

Portland (3-1, 1-0) took the doubles point from the rival Bulldogs (2-4, 0-1), as victories at No. 2 and No. 3 doubles decided the point early. Strong play by freshmen Michel Hu Kwo and Justin Guay at No. 2 doubles resulted in a comfortable 8-4 win.

At No. 3 doubles a back-and-forth battle ended in a Pilots win as Geoff Hernandez and Ratan Gill earned the tight victory at 8-6.

Portland started strong at No. 1 doubles, but the play of Alex Ferrero and Nick Wales was not enough as Gonzaga squeaked out the 8-6 decision.

Hernandez left the court during singles play with a two set victory (6-1, 6-1), which put the Pilots up 2-0 on the visiting Bulldogs. Portland earned a third point as Alex Ferrero battled from behind in the first set to force a tiebreak. In the tiebreak, the Portland freshman picked up the set victory, before taking the second set and earning his second win of the weekend.

Back from a day off, senior Bryan Thorp battled at No. 1 singles for three sets, before dropping the match to Levin Guillermo of Gonzaga. Portland secured the victory with two set victories at No. 4, 5 and 6 singles.

Perhaps the most impressive of the Portland freshmen playing today, was Hu Kwo who took out Gonzaga’s Jake Davis in two sets surrendering only a game in each set.

“Michel Hu Kwo has been playing some impressive tennis,” Gross said. “He is playing aggressive and really stretching his level.”

The match was the first victory of the weekend for Portland, after dropping a dual to Idaho yesterday. Portland continues play tomorrow at 9 a.m. against UC Davis.

“We bounced back nicely from a really tough loss yesterday,” Gross added. “It is great to see that from a young team. I think it shows something of our character that will serve us down the line."

Portland (3-1, 1-0) 6

Gonzaga (2-4, 0-1) 1

Louisiana-Pacific Tennis Center

Portland, Ore.

Doubles (2, 3, 1)

1: Scott Sullivan/Zhia Hwa Chong (GU) def. Alex Ferrero/Nick Wales (UP) 8-6

2: Michel Hu Kwo/Justin Guay (UP) def. Tyler Campbell/Jake Davis (GU) 8-6

3: Geoff Hernandez/Ratan Gill (UP) def. Kevin Eischen/Muzeen Ismath (GU) 8-5

Singles (3, 2, 1, 4, 5, 6 )

1: Levin Guillermo (GU) def. Bryan Thorp (UP) 4-6, 6-3, 6-2

2: Alex Ferrero (UP) def. Scott Sullivan (GU) 7-6 (7-2), 6-2

3: Geoff Hernandez (UP) def. Kevin Eischen (GU) 6-1, 6-1

4: Ratan Gill (UP) def. Zhia Hwa Chong (GU) 6-3, 6-3 

5: Michel Hu Kwo (UP) def. Jake Davis (GU) 6-1, 6-1

6: Justin Guay (UP) def. Muzeen Ismath (GU) 6-2, 6-4