Box Score vs. Sonoma State
Box Score vs. Arizona Christian
Box Score vs. Western New Mexico

THE RUNDOWN
PHOENIX, Ariz. – St. Edward's men's tennis split day two of the Firestorm Classic 1-1 before capping the tournament Sunday with a 5-0 victory over Western New Mexico. The Hilltoppers fell to Sonoma State 5-1 on Saturday and bounced back with a clutch 5-4 win over Arizona Christian.
 
The Hilltoppers (10-3) and Seawolves (6-2) did not partake in doubles play with all six of the points coming via singles competition. GABRIEL ZUNIGA claimed the only win for SEU by defeating Alec Wong, 6-3, 6-3.  
 
In Saturday's second match, SEU won the first and third doubles flights, but the Firestorm (7-3) took a 3-2 match lead after winning singles courts two and three in straight sets, respectively. ANDRE MERCADO tied the match, defeating ACU's Scott Wheeler, 6-0, 7-6 (7-0) but the tournament host regained the lead after winning court No. 5. LUIS DIAZ came through on the top singles court after rallying back vs. Enzo Douillac (6-7 (5-7), 6-2, 6-2) to the match again, leaving the final decision up to the final court. After dropping the first set 1-6, CHASE MOREHOUSE stormed back with a 7-6 (10-8) victory to force a third set and ultimately overcame Theo Preiswerk by taking the final set, 6-4.
 
Sunday morning, the Hilltoppers squared off with the Mustangs (3-6) and was in control from the opening serve. SEU took all three doubles flights, and a pair of straight set wins from No. 36 CHASE BARTLETT and WILL DRUMWRIGHT secured the sweep.
 
HIGHLIGHTS
• LUIS DIAZ recorded his 15^th career singles win in the match vs. Arizona Christian.
• MATEUS DE COL recorded his 10^th doubles win of the season in the match vs. Arizona Christian.
• Head coach Estevam Strecker logged his 45^th career win with SEU vs. Western New Mexico.
• CHASE BARTLETT picked up his 30^th career doubles win in the match vs. Western New Mexcio.
• Bartlett and Diaz improve to 13-4 as a tandem this season.
• ANDRE MERCADO is currently on a seven-match win streak in singles play.

THEY SAID IT
Head coach Estevam Strecker's overall outlook on the weekend…
"This was an incredibly hard weekend on everyone. Five matches in three days is tough and I think we handled the weekend extremely well. I knew going into the season that having a large roster was going to be a huge asset and it proved true. It is very encouraging to have the guys rotate in and out and the level be kept."
 
Strecker on the progression of the team…
"I am really happy with the growth that the team is showing and the progress we are making. We leave Phoenix with a sense that we accomplished something and that's a great feeling."
 
WHAT'S NEXT
The Hilltoppers will head back to Frank Seale Courts in Midolthian to face Jacksonville College and Seward County Community College March 3. Results of both matches will be available at GoHilltoppers.com.

Follow St. Edward's men's tennis team all season long on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram using the handle @SEUMTennis.

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