TACOMA, Wash. – Pacific Lutheran avoided a season sweep in men’s tennis with a 5-4 defeat of Linfield Saturday at the Puget Sound Tennis Center.

The Lutes and Wildcats are now tied for sixth in the Northwest Conference, both with a 3-6 league record and a 4-7 overall mark.

Unlike the last time the two teams met, which ended in a 7-2 victory for Linfield, it was more of a seesaw affair this time around.

Pacific Lutheran took a 2-1 lead after doubles play. Scott Sheldon and Taylor Dickey defeated Mark Magdaon and Brent Kingzett 8-6 in the top flight and Michael Parretta and Daniel Cotton topped Cody Levien and Tim Wagar at slot No. 2.

Tal DeWitt and Zachery Lyons (Sr., Vancouver, Wash.) teamed to crush Neal Berg and Zach Ah Yat 8-2 in the third doubles match.

Magdaong tied the match with his victory at No. 1 singles over Sheldon 6-1, 7-5. But the Lutes would win three of the five remaining flights, including a key victory at No. 5 singles, to clinch the win.

The decisive fifth flight went to three sets, but Pacific Lutheran’s prevailed over Wagar 3-6, 6-3, 7-5.

In other singles action, No. 2 player Dickey topped DeWitt 6-4, 6-4 and Ah Yat defeated Kingzett 6-4, 6-3.

For the ‘Cats, Levien earned a 6-2, 6-4 win over Cotton and Lyons edged Berg 6-4, 6-3.

Head coach Carl Swanson remained upbeat despite the outcome.

“I have a team of fighters,” he said. “They’re just having difficulty seizing moments of opportunity that they create for themselves.”

Swanson also shared his thoughts on the season overall.

“In my heart this is an 8-3 team,” he continued, “but the harsh reality is our record is 4-7. The quick and easy explanation is we’re snake bit, losing four 5-4 matches, however we have to accept responsibility for our performance.”

NEXT: Linfield returns to Oregon to battle George Fox Tuesday at 3:30 p.m.