ORANGE, Calif. – The Chapman University men's tennis team broke its skid with a 7-2 win over Cal Lutheran to improve to 3-2 in the SCIAC standings. The Panthers pulled into a three-way tie for third with two matches remaining in the regular season.

After Chapman took a 2-1 lead after doubles, five of the six singles matches needed a third set to be decided. Tommy Hays was the only straight set winner on either side – winning 6-2, 7-5 at No. 2. All five remaining courts saw Chapman players take the opening set but fall in the second.

The Panthers were able to win four of the five three-setters to take the 7-2 win over Cal Lutheran. Caleb Wilkins won in a third set tiebreaker to take the win at No. 1, 6-1, 1-6, 7-6. Kameron DeHart won on court three 6-3, 4-6, 6-3 and Josh Blinder won 6-2, 0-6, 6-3 on court four.

Cal Lutheran's Cade Haffner pulled out 3-6, 6-3, 6-2 win at No. 5 but Mac Caldwell was the winner on court six 6-3, 3-6, 6-1 victory.

The Panthers win sets up a showdown at Redlands on Friday, who is also 3-2 in the standings. A win for the Panthers would keep them in the top-four in a race for a spot in the SCIAC Tournament. Chapman returns home on Saturday to take on Claremont-Mudd-Scripps in the SCIAC regular season finale.

By Steven Olveda
Sports Information Director