AZUSA, Calif. – Azusa Pacific men's tennis played singles first and clinched the victory before doubles could even start as the Cougars eased into a 7-0 victory against Hope International, winning all 12 singles sets on February 14 at the Munson & Bavougian Tennis Complex.
 
In fact, the Cougars didn't lose more than four games in any set for singles and also won all three doubles sets. Azusa Pacific improved to 5-0 on the season with the win over the Royals, who drop to 1-4 this spring.
 
Joan Crespo returned to the lineup to earn his second win of the season in convincing fashion, dropping just one game for a 6-0, 6-1 triumph at No. 5 singles. That lead quickly became 2-0 when Brody Bohren won 6-3, 6-1 at No. 6 singles as Bohren picked up his second win in a row.
 
David James Brownlee remained undefeated on the season and put the Cougars within a point of clinching with his 6-1, 6-1 triumph at No. 4 singles. At that point, it was a race to clinch the win with Miha Velicki, Soeren Grandke, and Elias Emilio Walter all having won their respective first sets. It was ultimately Velicki who was the first across the finish line, winning 6-2, 6-3.
 
Walter and Grandke joined their teammates in the winners' circle in short order. Grandke won 6-4, 6-2 shortly after Walter won his match 6-2, 6-2. Grandke equaled Brownlee's 5-0 start to the year as the two underclassmen lead the Cougars in wins.
 
After the dominant performance in singles, the Cougars showed their depth in doubles. Albertus du Plessis partnered with Max Schmidhauser at No. 2 doubles and won 6-1 for the first set. Du Plessis is now 3-0 on the year in doubles.
 
At No. 3 doubles, Christopher Marci and Sam Bergstrand made their season debut in winning fashion, taking the deciding doubles set 6-3. Then to round out a dominant performance for the Cougars, Velicki and Walter combined for a 7-5 win at No. 1 doubles.
 
Azusa Pacific gets back to NCAA Division II competition on Wednesday with a trip to Fresno Pacific. The Cougars have not lost to the Sunbirds since their tennis program was reinstated.