The nationally ranked No. 14 Azusa Pacific Cougars started the 2017 season on the right foot with a 7-2 win over nationally ranked No. 18 University of Redlands. 

"Great way to start the season against a quality Division III team," said head coach Mark Bohren. "It's nice to see how well we played in doubles today and it was a good team effort overall."

Results

The tandem of Oliver Frank and Pascal Engel, who entered the match as the second ranked doubles team in the country, won their season debut against the pairing of Joey Dulle and Jake Ly 8-5. The Cougar duo of Christian Schmid and Shepherd Newcomb took on the tandem of regionally ranked No. 7 Chase Lipscomb and Brad Cummins beating them 8-5. Wrapping up the Cougars doubles for the day, the pairing of Antonio Pejic and Marnix Pluim beat the Bulldog duo of Parker Wilson and Tom Suchodolski 8-4.

Frank, who is ranked No. 1 nationally in singles, tallied a 6-1, 6-3 win over Redlands regionally ranked No. 5 Chase Lipcomb. Schmid registered a 6-3, 6-3 win over Dulle in the No. 2 singles match. Engel dropped his season opener to Wilson in straight sets(6-4, 6-0). Pejic easily dispatched of Avery Davis 6-1, 6-1 at the No. 4 slot.

After Shephard won the opening set without dropping a game at the No. 5 position, Ly rallied in the final sets for a 7-5, 6-4 win. At the final single spot, Pluim snatched a 6-4, 6-3 win over Suchodolski.

The Cougars take their game on the road this Wednesday at Concordia in Irvine at 2:00 pm.