AZUSA, Calif. -- It takes just four points to win a college tennis match, and Azusa Pacific found four points fairly easily amid an otherwise competitive match for a 4-0 win over Westmont on Friday afternoon at the Cougar Tennis Complex.
The Cougars dominated doubles as well as three of the singles matches, which is a winning formula, despite the fact that all three unfinished singles matches were tight three-setters. Azusa Pacific shut the door on the 4-0 match win before the Warriors could make it competitive as
Marko Nikoliuk,
Miha Velicki and
Vili Bonev all won in straight sets.
The Cougars now have a 12-3 record, while the Warriors, who will join the PacWest next year, drop to 6-8. Azusa Pacific is also a perfect 10-0 at home on the season with two home matches remaining, including a crucial rematch with Concordia on March 31.
No. 29 Azusa Pacific led in all three doubles sets with
Elias Emilio Walter and Bonev winning first 6-1 as the new No. 3 doubles pairing won for a second time in a row.
Leyton Bohren and Nikoliuk then clinched the doubles point with a 6-4 win at No. 1 doubles while
Brody Bohren and Velicki led 5-3.
Nikoliuk returned to the No. 2 singles position and won easily 6-0, 6-3. He now has a seven-match winning streak. Velicki then made it 3-0 with his 6-3, 6-4 win at No. 4 singles.
At that point, the Warriors had won sets at Nos. 1, 3, 5 singles, giving Cougars a narrow but clear path to victory at No. 6 singles. Bonev won his match 6-4, 6-4 to complete the victory while the other three remaining matches were in the third set.
Azusa Pacific will have a quick turn around, heading to Biola on Saturday to try to complete the season sweep against the Eagles after winning 5-2 at home earlier this month.