FULLERTON, Calif. - The Ottawa University Arizona men's tennis team defeated Hope International University on Saturday afternoon by a final of 5-4 in Fullerton, California.

With the victory Saturday, OUAZ improves to 2-8 overall on the year. With the loss, Hope International falls to 6-13 overall.

It was a close match all the way on Saturday between the Spirit and the Royals. Hope International took the early 2-1 lead following doubles play. The Royals won #1 doubles 6-4 and and #3 doubles 6-2. OUAZ responded in #2 doubles, with the duo of Austin Todd and Andrew Noblett winning 6-3.

In singles play, the Spirit dominated. OUAZ won four of the six matches, falling in only #1 and #4 singles.Kim Donghyun won #2 singles by finals of 7-5, 6-1, and Noel Maurin won #3 singles by scores of 7-5 and 6-3.

Eric De Romas won at #5 singles very quickly, at final of 6-1 and 6-2. Andrew Noblett won #6 singles 7-6 in a tiebreaker and 6-0.

The Spirit close out their 2017-18 season on Tuesday afternoon, when they host Mesa Community College for an exhibition match beginning at 1:30pm at the Surprise Tennis Complex.
   
 
About Ottawa University
Founded in 1865, Ottawa University prepares professional and liberal arts graduates for lifetimes of personal significance, vocational fulfillment and service to God and humanity within a Christ-inspired community of grace and open inquiry. Ottawa University is a comprehensive, not-for-profit educational institution serving 4,000 students through its residential campuses in Ottawa, Kan., and Surprise, Ariz., and adult campuses in Overland Park, Kan.; Phoenix, Queen Creek and Surprise, Ariz.; Brookfield, Wis.; Jeffersonville, Ind.; as well as online. For more information, visit www.ottawa.edu. 
 
For more information about OUAZ athletics, visit http://www.ottawa.edu/ouaz/athletics. Follow OUAZ athletics on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/OUAZSpiritAthletics/ and on Twitter twitter.com/OUAZSpirit.