Photo by: Tony Leon/ActionWestPhotography.com

Whittier, Calif.  – The Whittier men's tennis team came out fired up to play No. 18 Cal Lutheran Saturday morning but their comeback fell short as they lost 6-3 to the hands of the Kingsmen.

The Poets (11-5, 2-3 SCIAC) got off to an early lead behind stellar doubles performances by senior Ted Wyatt and junior Taylor Dimler who got the Poets on the scoreboard with an 8-2 win at No. 3.  But right behind them came freshman Chris Schommer and junior Frank Sun who pulled out an impressive 8-3 win at No. 2 putting Whittier up 2-1 heading into singles play.

With the thought of one of the biggest upsets in Whittier history looming in the heads of the Poets, their dream was soon driven away as the Kingsmen came roaring back taking 5-of-6 singles matches to help them clinch the match 6-3. 

The match of the day belonged to junior Patricio Carregha at No. 2 who had an opportunity to serve for the first set at 5-4 but was broken and was forced to play a tiebreak where he prevailed 7-6(4). 

He then came out fired up in the second defeating his opponent 6-3.  With this 7-6(4), 6-3 win Carregha moves his record to an impressive 10-5 on the season.

But not to be overlooked was the play of sophomore Julian Seneviratne who at the top spot played Andrew Giuffrida nationally ranked at No. 19.  Seneviratne had an opportunity as well to serve out the first set at 5-4 but was broken and ultimately fell 7-5, 7-5 dropping his season record to 10-5.

Schommer also had his hands full at No. 3 as he also played a nationally ranked player in Ray Worley (No. 38).  Schommer had opportunities in the match but wasn't able to capitalize as he fell 6-3, 6-1.

The Poets look to rebound as they travel to Riverside, CA to take on the Bulldogs of the University of Redlands Saturday, April 16 at 10 am.