Boxers reach an incredible 15 match win streak against Whitworth

March 13, 2025  

 Walking down to the tennis courts outside of Cascade Hall, the sound of balls popping off of racket strings rings through the air, indicating another day of tennis matches and competition. The Pacific men’s tennis team has been off to a strong and steady start in the 2025 spring campaign; four matches into the year, holding a .500 record at 2-2. But within those numbers, they remain undefeated in conference play, which is a good sign. Compared to last season, where the team finished the year 6-12 with a 4-3 conference record, a solid season could be in the cards for the Boxers this year.

   The Boxers most recent win came against the Whitworth Pirates on February 22, where the team was off to a hot start. They began the day by sweeping all three of their doubles matches. They continued to have a strong day as they proceeded to secure wins in five of their six singles matches. Not only did the Boxers come away with a decisive team win, with two set victories for all of their singles wins, but this match further highlighted the Boxers dominance over the Pirates. 

   What made this team win even more significant was the fact that it allowed the Boxers to extend their winning streak against the Pirates to 15 straight match wins; meaning, the Boxers have not lost to Whitworth since the spring of 2013. That’s over a decade of beating the Pirates down. This win streak is a testament to the program’s stability and continuation of strong leadership under Head Coach Rayden Murata, who has been leading the team for the last three years.

   Beyond the numbers, this win also emphasizes consistency and depth in Pacific’s current roster. The team’s two seniors, Aidan Rooney and Joshua Matabuena, look to finish their Boxer careers with a strong season. Equally motivated younger players, like sophomore Jonathan Nguyen, look to continue to impress with each performance. Nguyen is currently undefeated in all of his doubles and singles matches. 

   As the season really begins to pick up pace, the Boxers are looking to stay undefeated in conference play. With a good mixture of veterans, experienced coaches, and overall talent, the team could be a sneaky contender for a NWC title in 2025. But of course the season is still young, and staying consistent will be a must if the Boxers want to improve from their previous season.

This story was originally published in the Pacific Index, Pacific University's student newspaper. Used with permission.