NEWBERG, Ore. — George Fox University (2-1) secured a commanding 5-2 victory over the University of Puget Sound (1-3) on Saturday at the Multi-Use Facility, riding strong performances in singles play to clinch the match.  

The Bruins set the tone early, taking two of three doubles matches. The No. 1 duo of Lars Schmassmann and Ikuho Ebisu edged out Jason Rowe and Will Church 6-4, while Jackson Whittaker and Zach Moore rolled past Tyler Blixt and Trent Beckman 6-2 at No. 2. Puget Sound avoided the doubles sweep as Conor Blakeney and Matthew Merzbach outlasted Joseph Vece and Keita Shoji in a tiebreak thriller, 7-6 (9-7).  

In singles play, George Fox took control. Schmassmann delivered a dominant 6-3, 6-2 win over Rowe at No. 1, while Ebisu handled Carson Ward 6-3, 6-1 at No. 3. Shoji (6-0, 6-2 over Beckman) and Whittaker (6-0, 6-0 against Blixt) secured the match with convincing performances.  

Puget Sound found bright spots in the lower flights. Jackson Stumpf cruised past Vece 6-2, 6-2 at No. 6, while Church led Moore 2-6, 6-3 before Moore retired in the deciding set, giving the Loggers their second point.  

With the win, George Fox improves to 2-1 on the season, while Puget Sound drops to 1-3. Puget Sound travels to McMinnville tomorrow to take on Linfield.