The adult men’s 5.0 tennis team, from the Mercer Island Country Club, emerged as USTA League Pacific Northwest champions on Aug. 9 in Portland, Ore., after a three-way tie was decided by a one-game margin.

Despite a loss to the Salem Tennis and Swim Club of Salem, Ore., in its opening match, a superior game differential earned the team the title.

Mercer Island’s Brian Murphy defeated Len J. Spencer, 6-0, 6-3, in the singles match, but the team lost both doubles matches.

In the final match of tournament play, doubles pair Andrew Elling and Vivek Varma, team captain, defeated Patrick Dreves and Jeffrey Urie of the Spokane Club (Spokane) in straight sets, 6-3, 6-3.

“Great performances from all our team members,” Vivek said. “We are pleased to be representing the Northwest Section at the National.”

The team’s victory earned them qualification to the 2009 USTA League Pacific Northwest Adult National Championships on Oct. 2-4 in Indian Wells, Calif.

The USTA National Championship venue, Indian Wells Tennis Garden, will feature men’s and women’s teams of adult players, age 19 and older, who are grouped into six different ability levels.

The 5.0 skill level is the state’s highest organized competition in amateur play. The competition consists of singles and doubles matches with the outcome decided by team scoring.

For more information on the MICC tennis team, visit www.mercerislandcc.com.