TACOMA, Wash. – Visiting Whitworth rallied to a 6-3 win over Pacific Lutheran by taking five of the six singles matches on Saturday afternoon at the Sprinkler Tennis Center.

The Pirates improved to 5-5 overall and 5-2 in the NWC with the second win on the trip to Tacoma.  The Lutes fell to 1-5, 1-5.

Drew Brigham and Shane Sandlin earned Whitworth's only point in doubles with an 8-3 win over Sam Angel and Neal Berg at #1.  Spencer Herron and Jake Yannello countered with an 8-3 win over John Talbot and Drew Adams at #2.  The #3 doubles point went to PLU when Sam Stadter and James Okubo edged Blake Miller and Matt Goebel 9-7 at #3.

The top four singles matches began at the same time and Whitworth was able to take three of the four to move into a 4-3 lead in the team score.  Brigham defeated Angel 6-2, 6-2 at #1, while Talbot topped Yannello 6-1, 6-3 at #3.  Miller routed Berg 6-0, 6-1 at #4 for the Pirates.

Stadter earned PLU's only singles point with a 6-3, 6-2 win over Chris Engelmann at #2.

Whitworth needed a win in only one of the final two matches to clinch the team victory and the Pirates got both.  Sandlin defeated Okubo 6-2, 7-5 at #5 singles while Adams beat Herron 6-3, 6-2 at #6 singles.

Whitworth will kick off its spring break trip to California on Sunday, March 23 with a match against Arizona Christian.