Point Loma Nazarene University’s Sea Lions tennis teams are off to terrific starts this season. The men’s team is currently 13-2 and ranked 11th by the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics, while the women are 11-4 and ranked 13th.
The common thread between both teams is head coach Rich Hills. He has coached the men’s team for 26 years and the women’s team for 17.
“Every year it is about being able to mold the individuals into a team format,” Hills said. “Tennis is difficult to do that because it is an individual sport, but we’ve been able to have good success with it.”
Senior Christian Gerloff and junior Jonathan Bowman are two key reasons for the Sea Lions’ success thus far. Gerloff, a native Australian, and Bowman are the No. 1 and 2 singles players, respectively, on the team and pair for double play. “They’ve shown great leadership this season,” Hills said.
Currently, Point Loma has only two seniors on the roster “” Gerloff and Phillip Wulf “” and five juniors: Bowman, Landon Hilker, Mark Philibosian, Stephen Sheldon and Hamilton Wright. Wulf was recently named to the All-GSAC Team.
PLNU has beaten some strong teams this year, including the Air Force Academy, Baker University in Kansas and Boston University, and defeated GSAC rivals Biola, Cal Baptist, Concordia and Hope International.

The PLNU women’s teams have been outstanding this decade under Hills. They won five straight NAIA Region II championships (2000-2004) and made an appearance in the NAIA tournament. Ashley Strimple is the top player and one of only two seniors on the roster, the other being Christine Lalonde.
But despite the young team, Hills has hope for a promising season.
“The ladies have been a pleasant surprise this season,” Hills said. “Everyone has stepped up this year.”