MCMINNVILLE, Ore. - With the match coming down to the final singles court, the Austin College Kangaroos pulled out a huge victory over Linfield College in their second match of their spring break trip to Portland, Oregon.
A 2-1 advantage following doubles play gave the Kangaroos a much needed boost going into singles. While Kenneth Hardy and Josh Granberry fell 8-3 at Line 1, Andres Padilla and Travis Fortune jumped out to an early lead at Line 3 and closed the first point for Austin College 8-4. With the match tied at 1-1, Calum Robe and Erik Meendsen came up huge for the 'Roos with an 8-5 victory at Line 2.
The Kangaroos fell behind on 2 of the first 3 courts with Granberry falling at Line 1 and Padilla taking a rare defeat at Line 3. Kenneth Hardy made quick work of his Line 2 opponent 6-3, 6-1 to level the match at 3-3.
First-year Calum Robe fell behind 5-2 in the first set of his match, but managed to win 5-straight games and 11 out of the last 14 for a 7-5, 6-3 victory to put the Kangaroos 1 point away from clinching.
But Erik Meendsen's opponent at Line 5 came from down a set to win 2-6, 6-3, 6-3 and tie the score. The match would rest in the hands of first-year Preston Spivey, and the freshman did not blink under pressure, winning 6-4, 6-3 to clinch the victory for Austin College.
AC plays a double header tomorrow against nationally ranked competition vs. #33 Lewis & Clark at 10:00AM in Portland, and #34 George Fox University at 4:00PM in Beaverton, Oregon.