(AZUSA, Calif.) – In its first match as the NAIA’s No. 1-ranked team, defending GSAC champion Azusa Pacific cruised past Hope International, 9-0, in both team’s GSAC opener.

On a day when head coach Mark Bohren rested the Cougars’ Sam Fletcher, and with an injured Boris Bakalov getting another day off to rest, the Cougars picked up 5 points on defaults when the Royals couldn’t fill those spots. The Cougars won by default at 2 and 3 doubles as well as 4-6 singles.

Adam Davidson filled in for Fletcher at No. 1 defeating Van Ngo, 6-1, 6-3. Thomas Jelsma and Jon Wagner also picked up the other 2 singles wins at No. 2 and 3, respectively. Jelsma teamed with Justin Green at No. 1 doubles and picked up an 8-6 win over Ngo and Jesse Peterson.

With the win, Azusa Pacific improves to 6-3 overall, 1-0 GSAC.

Match Results
Doubles
1 – Thomas Jelsma and Justin Green (APU) d. Van Ngo and Jesse Peterson, 8-6
2 – Cole Billings and Gordon Hong (APU) won by Default
3 – Stan Azevedo and Jon Wagner (APU) won by Default

Singles
1 – Adam Davidson (APU) d. Van Ngo, 6-1, 6-3
2 – Thomas Jelsma (APU) d. Seth Halligan, 6-0, 6-0
3 – Jon Wagner (APU) d. Jesse Peterson, 6-0, 6-2
4 – Cole Billings (APU) won on Default
5 – Gordon Hong (APU) won on Default
6 – Stan Azevedo (APU) won on Default