No. 16 Washington shoots down Portland Pilots 7-0

It wasn't the best-played match for Washington this year. Still, the No. 16 Huskies (3-0) were able to pull through and collect their third consecutive 7-0 sweep at home, this time over the Portland Pilots (1-1).

"We were making mistakes and we weren't on our toes," said UW head coach Matt Anger. "But when we weren't making shots we weren't losing ground."

Washington did lose a little ground in the doubles competition with junior Michael Ricks and senior Jean-Noel Insausti dropping the first match of the season for Washington to Portland's Alex Strom and Darragh Rowan at No. 3 doubles.

The loss didn't factor into the overall scoring outcome, however, as the No. 1 and No. 2 teams had already clinched the doubles point for Washington. Juniors Alex Slovic and Daniel Chu downed Matthew Loucks and James Redpath 8-5 in the No.1 match. Slovic ended the match in style with an ace up the middle to the add court.

Junior Klaus Jank and sophomore Andy Kuharszky made quick work of Scott Kennel and Joel Kincaid 8-2 in the No. 2 match.

With the exception of Slovic's and Ricks' difficulties, Washington cruised in singles. Insausti, Chu, Kuharszky, Jank and Ricks all won in straight sets.

Ricks, going up against Kincaid, won the first set 6-2 and seemed to be in control. Kincaid, however, pulled out to an early lead in the second set, forcing Ricks to collect himself. After falling behind 3-2, the junior ended the match by winning four-straight games, breaking Kincaid's serve twice and holding his own serve twice.

Ricks hit an ace to the add court to give himself a match point. He made good on his first try, smoking a forehand winner down the line to clinch it.

"I had a little lapse, but I came back," Ricks said. "It was nice to win the singles."

Loucks gave Slovic all he could handle in the No. 1 singles match. Slovic was pushed to the brink, losing the first set 6-4, before battling back to even the match by taking the second set 6-2.

"I got frustrated; I just played stupid," Slovic said of the first set. "I played better in the second -- I stepped up."

Slovic eventually prevailed in the 10-point super tiebreak, overcoming a questionable line call that negated an ace to win 10-8.

Portland was outclassed talent wise, however the Pilots made the Huskies earn it.

"That's why we play," Anger said.