March 24, 2007
HONOLULU - The 69th-ranked San Diego State men's tennis team extended its winning streak to three straight matches on Saturday with a 6-1 triumph over Hawai'i during the 2007 Aloha Invitational at the UH Tennis Complex. The Aztecs rebounded from a pair of grueling defeats in doubles competition, capturing all six encounters in singles action to win going away. With the victory, SDSU raises its record to 8-6 on the season, while the Rainbow Warriors fall to 4-8 overall.
The Aztecs got off to a seemingly good start in doubles as the tandem of Anthony Gomez and Achim Ceban pinned an 8-3 defeat on Derrick Lajola and Brent Hunter at the No. 2 position. However, Hawai'i drew even when Sascha Heinmann and Andreas Weber upset SDSU's 17th-ranked duo of Markus Dickhardt and Christian Groh, 9-8(2), in a gritty battle at the No. 1 spot. Meanwhile on the No. 3 court, the pairing of Billy Timu and Juan Gomez fell victim to Jeff Fitch and Chad Faulk, 9-8(7), in another epic struggle as the Warriors clinched the point for an early 1-0 lead.
Unfazed, the Scarlet and Black went back to work in singles play with a sense of resolve, winning all six matches in straight sets. In a clash of nationally-ranked players, Dickhardt exacted a measure of revenge against Weber, posting a 6-4, 6-2 decision at the No. 1 spot for his 10th victory in a row. Groh also shook off the effects of the earlier doubles defeat with a 6-2, 6-2 decision over Lajola at No. 2.
Over on the No. 3 court, Anthony Gomez was a winner in his sixth consecutive start, prevailing by a 6-3, 6-4 count over Faulk, while Ceban encountered minimal resistance from Hunter in a 6-0, 6-0 whitewash at No. 5. In the fourth slot, Juan Gomez nearly duplicated the feat with a 6-0, 6-1 thrashing of Fitch, while Robert Sabo completed the Aztec singles sweep following a 6-3, 7-5 conquest of Spence Mendoza at No. 6.
SDSU concludes its Hawaiian expedition on Sunday with a neutral-site clash against No. 38 California beginning at 10 a.m. HT.
#69 San Diego State 6, Hawai'i 1
UH Tennis Complex
Honolulu, Hawaii
Doubles
1. Sascha Heinemann/Andreas Weber (UH) def. #17 Markus Dickhardt/Christian Groh (SDSU), 9-8(2)
2. Anthony Gomez/Achim Ceban (SDSU) def. Derrick Lajola/ Brent Hunter (UH), 8-3
3. Jeff Fitch/Chad Faulk (UH) def. Billy Timu/Juan Gomez (SDSU), 9-8(7)
Hawai'i wins doubles point
Singles
1. #52 Markus Dickhardt (SDSU) def. #60 Andreas Weber (UH), 6-4, 6-2
2. #92 Christian Groh (SDSU) def. Derrick Lajola (UH), 6-2, 6-2
3. Anthony Gomez (SDSU) def. Chad Faulk (UH), 6-3, 6-4
4. Juan Gomez (SDSU) def. Jeff Fitch (UH), 6-0, 6-1
5. Achim Ceban (SDSU) def. Brent Hunter (UH), 6-0, 6-0
6. Robert Sabo (SDSU) def. Spence Mendoza (UH), 6-3, 7-5