Match Results in HTML Format

THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. -- Christopher Newport didn't gain the upset it sought of a nationally ranked men's tennis foe, but the Captains registered some key individual triumphs in a 5-4 defeat at No. 20 California Lutheran.

In doubles, Gian Heyer and Joey Manilla rolled to an 8-2 victory at No. 2. But the Kingsmen (5-1), who have beaten four nationally ranked teams, took a 2-1 lead entering singles as Nick Ballou and Ray Worley edged Matt King and Eric Shulman 9-8 (7-2).

Ballou and Worley are ranked second in the nation, while King and Shulman are fourth. Both won their ITA regionals in the fall, and the Cal Lutheran duo beat the CNU tandem in a Division III semifinal of the ITA Small College Nationals in Mobile, Ala.

The rematch was a lot closer, with King and Shulman moving two points from victory before succumbing.

In singles, Cal Lutheran -- perhaps buoyed by confidence from the previous day's 5-4 victory over No. 6 Kenyon of Ohio -- clinched the match with wins at Nos. 3, 4 and 6.

CNU won the rest of the singles, though. Heyer edged Worley 2-6, 6-4, 1-0 (10-5) at No. 2.

Robbie Wagner gained one of his best victories in three years as a Captain, scoring a 6-3, 6-3 win at No. 5.

Shulman, a senior who is the Captains' all-time victory leader, gave a huge boost to his quest to qualify for the national singles tournament for the third consecutive season. He edged Ballou 6-2, 3-6, 6-4 in what CNU coach Rush Cole described as a thrilling match.

Ballou, a transfer from Division I Boise State, is ranked No. 14 in the nation. 

CNU, playing perhaps the nation's toughest schedule so far, fell to 1-6. The Captains will go to Los Angeles on Friday for the finale of their spring-break trip, playing what figures to be a highly competitive match at 6 p.m. Eastern against Occidental. 

Occidental is one of four teams that share the No. 30 position on the ITA chart, so it will be the fourth nationally ranked squad CNU has faced in as many matches in the Golden State.

NO. 20 CAL LUTHERAN 5, CNU 4
Doubles:
1. #2 Nick Ballou-Ray Worley (CLU) d. #4 Matt King-Eric Shulman 9-8 (7-2).
2. Gian Heyer-Joey Manilla (CNU) d. Cody Kowalczyk-Connor Treacy 8-2.
3. Thomas Millet-Marcelo Sousa (CLU) d. Robbie Wagner-Tom Whaling 8-2.

Singles:
1. Shulman (CNU) d. #14 Ballou 6-2, 3-6, 6-4;
2. Heyer (CNU) d. Worley 2-6, 6-4, 1-0 (10-5);
3. Treacy (CLU) d. King 6-2, 6-0;
4. Millet (CLU) d. Manilla 6-4, 6-2;
5. Wagner (CNU) d. Sousa 6-3, 6-3;
6. Kowalczyk (CLU) d. Tobin 6-0, 6-0.

Records:
CNU 1-6, Cal Lutheran 5-1.