AZUSA, Calif. -- Head coach Mark Bohren knew that Azusa Pacific would face a tough challenge in the form of Claremont Mudd.

But he also knew that the Cougars were primed to play a solid match and that scenario played out as Azusa Pacific earned a hard fought 7-2 win over the Stags.

It was a clash of 2 undefeated teams yet it was the Cougars (9-0) who prevailed over the Stags (8-1) again getting outstanding play by Boris Bakalov and Patrick Kur in singles.

“Claremont is a really solid team and we had to play well in order to get the win,” said Bohren. “They will compete for the Division III national title and we have a lot of respect for them.”

The NAIA's No. 1-ranked Azusa Pacific has a big week ahead of it as it hosts a pair of conference rivals in Westmont and Fresno Pacific.

Singles

Boris Bakalov (APU) d. William Ellison (CMS), 6-1, 6-4

Patrick Kur (APU) d. Jack De Paole (CMS), 6-1, 6-0

David Goodman (APU) d. Eric Chow (CMS), 7-5, 6-1

Tom Jelsma (APU) d. Lawrence Wang (CMS), 7-5, 3-6, (10-7)

Guillaume Schils (CMS) d. Cole Billings (APU), 6-1, 6-1

Art Fatkiev (APU) d. David Oehm (CMS), 6-1, 6-0

Doubles

Bakalov/Jelsma (APU) d. Wang/Schils (CMS), 8-2

Kur/Goodman (APU) d. Ellison/Evan Feldhauson (CMS), 8-6

De Paole/Chow (CMS) d. Billings/Fatkiev (APU), 8-5