Jan. 29, 2008
LOS ANGELES - The San Diego State men's tennis team suffered its first defeat of the young season on Tuesday, falling to No. 6 USC, 6-1, at Marks Tennis Stadium in Los Angeles. With the loss, the 50th-ranked Aztecs drop to 1-1 overall, while the Trojans won for the third time in four days to remain unbeaten at 3-0.
SDSU got off on the wrong foot in doubles competition after dropping all three matches to fall behind 1-0. First off the court was the duo of Achim Ceban and Bartosz Golas, who were quickly dispatched, 8-1, by USC's second-ranked tandem of Robert Farah and Kaes Van't Hof at the No. 1 position. The Trojans then clinched the early point when Danny Heidecker and Tim Schulz van Endert experienced an 8-4 setback at the hands of Jaak Poldma and Andrew Piotrowski on the No. 3 court. The Aztecs were unable to avoid the sweep despite a valiant effort by Juan Gomez and Matan Shitrit, who were edged by Abdullah Magdas and Gary Sacks, 8-6, in the No. 2 spot.
SDSU's fortunes took a momentary turn for the better in singles play as Andre Feliz engineered a 6-3, 6-3 triumph over Piotrowski in the sixth position, which knotted the score at 1-1. Any hopes for an Aztec upset were soon dashed, however, as USC reeled off five straight victories to pull away for the win. Heidecker and Ceban kept things close late in their respective matches, but both players were unable to force a third set and eventually succumbed to their Trojan opponents.
Over on the No. 5 court, Gomez battled Magdas in a tight opening set, but ran out of steam and lost, 7-6(5), 6-1, giving USC the requisite fourth team point for the victory. With the outcome no longer in doubt, the Trojans tacked on two additional wins to provide for the final score. Shitrit suffered a 6-4, 6-2 defeat at the hands of Jason McNaughton in the fourth spot, while Golas could not hold an early lead against Poldma at No. 3, ultimately dropping a 4-6, 6-1, 6-3 decision.
San Diego State returns to the court Sunday, Feb. 3, when it plays host to No. 70 Fresno State at Aztec Tennis Center. Match time is set for 10 a.m. PT.
No. 6 USC 6, No. 50 SAN DIEGO STATE 1
Marks Tennis Stadium
Los Angeles, Calif.
Doubles
1. #2 Robert Farah / Kaes Van't Hof (USC) def. Achim Ceban / Bartosz Golas (SDSU), 8-1
2. Abdullah Magdas / Gary Sacks (USC) def. Juan Gomez / Matan Shitrit (SDSU), 8-6
3. Jaak Poldma / Andrew Piotrowski (USC) def. Danny Heidecker / Tim Schulz van Endert (SDSU), 8-4
USC wins doubles point
Singles
1. #9 Robert Farah (USC) def. Achim Ceban (SDSU), 6-0, 7-5
2. Kaes Van't Hof (USC) def. Danny Heidecker (SDSU), 6-2, 7-5
3. Jaak Poldma (USC) def. Bartosz Golas (SDSU), 4-6, 6-1, 6-3
4. Jason McNaughton (USC) def. Matan Shitrit (SDSU), 6-4, 6-2
5. Abdullah Magdas (USC) def. Juan Gomez (SDSU), 7-6(5), 6-1
6. Andre Feliz (SDSU) def. Andrew Piotrowski (USC), 6-3, 6-3
Order of finish
Doubles: 1, 3, 2
Singles: 6, 2, 1, 5*, 4, 3
*match-clinching victory