McMINNVILLE, Ore. - The 38th-ranked Southwestern University men's tennis team opened their Great Northwest road trip with an impressive 9-0 win over Linfield College on Saturday afternoon. 

Southwestern got off to a great start, sweeping the doubles matches for the early lead. Senior David Strong and sophomore Tyler Norman put together a terrific performance and won at No. 2 convincingly, 8-2. Sophomore Alexis Dimanche and senior Grant Gideon earned an 8-4 win at one doubles while sophomore Dean Dulthummon and Jeremy Wilson edged out an 9-7 win at No. 3 doubles.

"David and Tyler were phenomenal today playing their smartest tennis all year," said Head Coach Billy Porter. "Jeremy and Dean gutting out that win at three doubles on a day that wasn't their best set the tone for singles."

In singles, Dimanche got things rolling with a dominant 6-4, 6-0 win at one singles while Wilson clinched the match at five singles with a 6-0, 6-1 win. Dulthummon was victorious 6-4, 6-2 at No. 3 singles while Norman took a thrilling three setter 3-6, 6-3, 10-5. 

"Tyler was so coachable with Coach Miller getting out of his comfort zone to find a way to get a win when struggling with his usual game," said Coach Porter of Norman's performance.

With the Pirates eyeing the sweep, junior Alonso Fernandez took a 6-0, 6-1 win at No. 5 singles while Gideon had yet another three set victory to clinch the sweep, winning two singles 6-4, 3-6, 10-5.

The Pirates moves to 4-3 overall and have won three straight, all by scores of 9-0. They return to action tomorrow as they head into Portland for a 1 PM match-up against Lewis & Clark.