SPOKANE, Wash. – Jeffrey Vulis rallied from a set behind to pull out a three-set victory at #5 singles and lift Whitworth to a dramatic 5-4 men's tennis victory over visiting Linfield in the season finale for both schools on Saturday.

The Pirates finish their season 6-11 overall and 6-6 in the Northwest Conference, while the Wildcats dropped to 6-12, 5-7.

Whitworth fell behind 2-1 after doubles play, despite an 8-3 win for Shane Sandlin and Caleb Hughes at #1 over Tyler Linscott and Trent Prussing.  But Linfield got an 8-5 win by Charlie Farrenkopf and Eric Rutherford over Ben Bethards and Jack Bethards at #3 doubles.  Then Nathan Saragoza and John Lutaaya pulled out a 9-7 win over Vulis and Jeff Fisher at #2 doubles.

The Pirates were able to tie the match 3-3 after playing the top three singles matches.  First Fisher beat Lutaaya 6-2, 6-0 at #3 singles and then Caleb Hughes beat Saragoza 7-5, 6-0 at #2 singles.  The Wildcats got their point when Linscott edged Sandlin 6-3, 6-4 at #1 singles.

Whitworth went ahead 4-3 when Jake Bethards rolled past Jacob Mangan 6-0, 6-1 at #4 singles.  But Linfield tied the match back up on Farrenkopf's 6-1, 6-1 win over Nick Hughes at #6 singles. 

It all came down to Vulis and Prussing at #5.  Prussing took the opening set 6-3, but Vulis rallied to take the second 6-3 and then the clincher 6-2.  Vulis won his last four matches of the year to finish 9-8 in singles.