TACOMA, Wash. – The University of Puget Sound men's tennis team put up a valiant fight but came up just short in a 4-3 loss to Whitworth on Sunday at home.

Despite the final outcome, the Loggers (1-7) showcased strong individual performances, particularly in singles play. Jason Rowe delivered a dominant win at No. 1 singles, dispatching Whitworth's Matthew Morrison in straight sets, 6-3, 6-1. Will Church also secured a hard-fought victory at No. 2 singles, prevailing in a three-set battle against Ryan Ashley, 7-6 (7), 3-6, 6-3. Jackson Stumpf added to Puget Sound's tally with a decisive 6-2, 6-4 win at No. 5 singles.

However, the Pirates (3-5) found their edge in doubles, sweeping all three matches to gain an early lead. Rowe and Church fell 6-2 at No. 1 doubles, while the duos of Trent Beckman/Tyler Blixt and Conor Blakeney/Matthew Merzbach also dropped their matches by identical 6-2 scores.

With momentum from doubles, Whitworth capitalized in singles, staging a comeback at No. 3 singles to defeat Carson Ward, 4-6, 6-4, 6-2, while Pirate Matt Froslan rallied past Beckman at No. 4 singles, 3-6, 6-1, 6-2. At No. 6 singles, Landon LaBrie sealed the match for the Pirates with a 6-3, 6-4 win over Blixt.

The Loggers will look to bounce back in their next match as they continue Northwest Conference play.