Box Score STOCKTON, Calif. – The Pacific Tigers took advantage of a depleted Portland men's tennis roster with a 4-1 West Coast Conference victory Sunday afternoon at Eve Zimmerman Tennis Center. Despite battling injuries and illness, the Pilots took the match down to the wire with a gutty performance.

Portland defaulted No. 3 doubles due to its limited roster, the Pilots pulled out 6-4 wins at the top two positions to steal the first point of the match. Freshman Sema Pankin and sophomore Tom Hann beat Tadiwa Chinamo and Akram El Sallaly at the top spot, while freshmen Issa Yoshida and Leo Hibi beat Ross Watson and Philip Hjorth at No. 2 doubles.

"We were shorthanded today and had to battle through the doubles," Portland head coach Aaron Gross said. "It was an amazing effort to claim the point."

The Tigers then tied it up when Pilot freshman Nicklas Oberg gave it a go at No. 2 singles, but was forced to retire after the first set.

Nathan Hampton and Josef Southcombe won in straight sets at the bottom of the lineup to give Pacific a 3-1 lead.

The Tigers were up a set in all three remaining singles matches, but the Pilots battled back in each to force third sets.

Pankin won his second set at No. 1 singles over Ross Watson, Hann at No. 3 singles took a set off of Chinamo and Yoshida pushed El Sallaly to the third at No. 4 singles.

Chinamo would provide the winning point 6-3 in the third.

"Stockton is a tough place to play and it took us a little bit to get our feet under us in the singles," Gross noted. "Eventually we turned three of the matches around and looked like we had a decent shot, but just couldn't quite get there. For a lineup featuring so many freshmen, dealing with all kinds of health issues, and a tough road schedule, we have put forth an amazing effort. We look forward to hosting all these teams next year on our home courts."

Portland will conclude the regular season with a road match at Gonzaga on Saturday at 11 a.m.

Pacific 4, Pilots 1
Stockton, Calif. (Eve Zimmerman Tennis Center)
April 14, 2019

Singles
1. Ross Watson (PAC) vs. Sema Pankin (POR) 6-3, 5-7, 2-2, unfinished
2. Philip Hjorth (PAC) def. Nicklas Oberg (POR) 6-3, retired
3. Tadiwa Chinamo (PAC) vs. Tom Hann (POR) 6-2, 3-6, 6-3
4. Akram El Sallaly (PAC) vs. Issa Yoshida (POR) 6-3, 1-6, 5-4
5. Josef Southcombe (PAC) def. Leo Hibi (POR) 6-4, 6-4
6. Nathan Hampton (PAC) def. Arjun Mariyappa (POR) 6-1, 6-4

Doubles
1. Pankin/Hann (POR) def. Chinamo/El Sallaly (PAC) 6-4
2. Yoshida/Hibi (POR) def. Watson/Hjorth (PAC) 6-4
3. Southcombe/Hampton (PAC) wins by default

Match Notes:
Pacific 6-15, 3-5 WCC
Portland 7-13, 2-6 WCC