THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. -- The second leg in the Christopher Newport men's tennis team's spring-break tour of Southern California resulted in an 8-1 defeat Tuesday to No. 6 Kenyon that was highly competitive at several spots on the hard courts of California Lutheran.

The Lords from Ohio -- a traditional NCAA Division III power -- took all three doubles matches, capped by the 9-7 victory at No. 1 by Josh Stiles and Austin Griffin over Matt King and Eric Shulman.

Kenyon (7-2) won singles spots 4, 5 and 6 in straight sets, but the duels at the top three positions were thrillers. CNU rallied to win the second set to force splits on all three courts, and since the Lords had clinched the team victory and were playing another match later in the day, decisive tiebreaks were played instead of full third sets.

At the second position, CNU's Gian Heyer fell 10-8 to Kenyon's C.J. Williams, a Richmond native and transfer from VCU who began the spring season ranked 13th nationally in singles.

The Captains' King also lost 10-8, beaten by Wade Heerboth.

But Shulman achieved a memorable 6-2, 3-6, 1-0 (14-12) triumph at the top spot against Paul Burgin of Baltimore, who was ranked 26th on the preseason ITA list.

Shulman said he saved five match points, which came with deficits of 9-7, 9-8, 10-9, 11-10 and 12-11.

The Captains (1-5), who have one of the best non-conference schedules among Division III squads, will return to the same courts Wednesday to meet Cal Lutheran's Kingsmen. Cal Lutheran is ranked 20th nationally, but the Kingsmen upset Kenyon Tuesday night.

No. 6 KENYON 8, CNU 1
Doubles:
1. Josh Stiles-Austin Griffin (K) d. Matt King-Eric Shulman 9-7.
2. C.J. Williams-Michael Razumovsky (K) d. Gian Heyer-Joey Manilla 8-1.
3. Kevin Ye-Paul Burgin (K) d. Kyle Tobin-Robbie Wagner 8-1.

Singles:
1. Shulman (CNU) d. Burgin 6-2, 3-6, 1-0 (14-12).
2. Williams (K) d. Heyer 7-5, 4-6, 1-0 (10-8).
3. Wade Heerboth (K) d. King 6-3, 1-6, 1-0 (10-8).
4. Tim Rosensteel (K) d. Manilla 6-1, 6-1.
5. Jacob Huber (K) d. Wagner 6-1, 6-4.
6. Jake Matthews (K) d. Tobin 6-2, 6-1.

Records: CNU 1-5, Kenyon 7-2.