Men's Tennis | 3/15/2015 12:53:00 AM
AZUSA, Calif. – The #23 St. Edward's Men's Tennis team dropped a 7-2 decision to 12
th-ranked Azusa Pacific Saturday afternoon at the Burrelson Tennis Complex.
St. Edward's (3-3) dropped the first doubles match at No. 3 doubles, but the team of
RICARDO PINEDA and
FELIX BAKE combined to win at No. 2 doubles over Pascal Engel and Ben Eger, 8-4. The duo ran their season record to 5-1. The team of
PATRICK CLYNES and
MAXIMO AGOGLIA lost a hotly contested battle at No. 1 doubles, 8-6, as the visitors fell behind 2-1 after doubles play.
"I am really happy with our effort in doubles today," head coach Estevam Strecker said. "We had our chances to take an early lead, but did not capitalize on it. However, we competed very well, while Ricardo and Felix played their best match of the season."
In singles action, the Cougars would win matches at the No. 1, 2, 5, and 6 positions to clinch the team match. Agoglia split the first two sets with his opponent before falling, 10-6 in the superset tiebreaker at number three singles. Bake took a point for the Hilltoppers when he bested Gary Yam, 7-6, 6-4 in straight sets at the number four spot. With the victory, Bake is now tied with Clynes for the best singles record on the season at 5-1.
"In singles play, we no doubt felt the heat (90 degree temperatures)," Strecker said. "It is disappointing that our physical let us down today. To beat the best, we have to be at our best, and we were not today. If we want to best these teams, we need to do the little things better on a daily basis."
The Hilltoppers will continue their West Coast Swing with a matchup versus #2 Hawaii Pacific. First-serve is set for 10 a.m. at the Northview Tennis Complex in San Diego, Calif.
