California Baptist University
Azusa Pacific
SWEEPNESS
2/19/2009 8:00:00 AM | Men's Track
RIVERSIDE, Calif. --- California Baptist University men's tennis has had some big wins in its brief history since being reinstated as a varsity sport prior to the 2007 season.
However, none have been as sweet as the one the Lancers tasted Thursday afternoon.
The NAIA's No. 5-ranked Lancers picked up their biggest win in program history with a convincing 7-2 victory over No. 3 Azusa Pacific Thursday at the Pentz Tennis Center.
It is the program's first win ever over the Cougars, a longtime national power, since CBU reinstated men's tennis, and it avenges a trio of setbacks last year, including one that ended the Lancers' season in the quarterfinals of the national tournament. The Cougars are also the highest-ranked opponent the Lancers have ever beaten.
CBU improves to 2-1 overall, 1-1 GSAC with the win, while the Cougars suffer their first loss of the season, falling to 1-1, 0-1.
Azusa Pacific, which has won six GSAC titles since 2002 and a national title, jumped out to a 2-1 lead after doubles and needed to just split the singles' matches for the win. However, the Lancers rose to the occasion, sweeping all six singles' matches, all of them in straight sets.
“We are still trying to work out our doubles, but the guys showed some great effort, and that's all I ever ask of them,” said CBU Head Coach Chris Taylor. “I could not be prouder of how the guys performed in singles. It was just a tremendous display of talent.”
All-American Carlos Cirne-Lima got things started with a 6-2, 6-1 win over Mathias Weber at No. 2. Oliver Andrzjczuk then put the Lancers in front with a 6-2, 6-1 win over Daniel Moore at No. 5.
Not to be outdone, Lucas Pereira took care of Ron Chow at No. 3 with a 6-2, 6-1 win to put the Lancers one win away. Moments later, Gabor Toth at No. 6 put the finishing touches on a 6-2, 6-2 win over Ilja Ikonnikov to clinch the match for the Lancers.
“(Gabor) Toth is coming into form, and it was fitting that he closed out the match at No. 6,” said Taylor.
Martin Vaisse finished off Janosch Apelt, 6-2, 7-6, at No. 4, and Alessandro Ventre completed the historical win with a 6-3, 7-5 win over Mathijs Bolsius at No. 1.
Singles
1 ? Alessandro Ventre (CBU) d. Mathijs Bolsius (APU) 6-3, 7-5
2 ? Carlos Cirne-Lima (CBU) d. Mathias Weber (APU) 6-2, 6-1
3 ? Lucas Pereira (CBU) d. Ron Chow (APU) 6-2, 6-1
4 ? Martin Vaisse (CBU) d. Janosch Apelt (APU) 6-2, 7-6
5 ? Oliver Andrzjczuk (CBU) d. Daniel Moore (APU) 6-2, 6-1
6 ? Gabor Toth (CBU) d. Ilja Ikonnikov (APU) 6-2, 6-2
Doubles
1 ? Bolsius/Weber (APU) d. Ventre/Cirne-Lima (CBU) 8-4
2 ? Vaisse/Andrzjczuk (CBU) d. Chow/Moore (APU) 8-5
3 ? Apelt/Zapala (APU) d. Pereira/Toth (CBU) 8-5
