LAS VEGAS – The San Diego State men's tennis team was in Las Vegas on Thursday for a match at UNLV. The Aztecs took an early lead by winning the doubles point before taking four singles matches in a 5-2 win over the Rebels.
The Scarlet and Black win their third straight match to improve to 14-5 and 3-2 in conference while the Rebels drop to 8-10 and 1-3 in Mountain West play.
"It was a well fought match today by our guys," said Head Coach Gene Carswell after the victory. "It was good to get a match played in these conditions, as we'll turn right back around and battle for the MW Championship here next week."
In doubles, Robin Parts and Alexander Mandma (8-4) dropped down to the second court and faced Illia Maksymchuk and Taiyo Hirano. The Aztecs coasted to a 6-2 win. Eugenio Gonzalez Fitzmaurice and Johannes Seeman (7-1) moved up to the top court against Anton Ornberg and Jackson Atherton. The Aztecs came out on top 6-4 to take the doubles point. Chikaya Sato and Bora Sengul (4-2) faced off against Aaron Bailey and Thomas Navarro on the third court. The Aztec pair led 5-2 when their teammates clinched the doubles point.
In singles, Mandma (10-4) played on court No. 6 against Creed Skinner. Mandma earned a win in straight sets 6-4, 6-1.
On the fifth court, Parts (14-0) faced Navarro. He managed to stay perfect on the season with a 6-4, 6-3 victory.
In his match, Sato (8-9) went up against Bailey on court No. 3. After falling 6-1 in the first set, Sato responded by winning the next set by the same score. He carried that momentum over into a 6-4 win in the third to clinch an Aztec victory.
Last week's Mountain West Player of the Week, Gonzalez Fitzmaurice (11-4) battled Hirano. The Aztec won the first set 6-1 but dropped the second 6-2. He came back to win a close third set 7-5 to conclude Thursday's match.
On the top court, Seeman (4-12) faced Ornberg. He was bested 6-4, 6-4 in straight sets.
Sengul (7-6) played Maksymchuk on court No. 2. Sengul was tripped up 6-3 in the first set. He bounced back to take the second by the same score but was defeated 6-3 again in the deciding third set.
San Diego State finishes up its regular season against Utah State at 11 a.m. on Saturday at the Aztec Tennis Center. The team will honor seniors Parts, Andre Saleh, Sato, Seeman and Sengul prior to the match.
San Diego State 5, UNLV 2
Fertitta Tennis Complex – Las Vegas, Nev.
April 18, 2024
Singles Competition
1. Anton Ornberg (UNLV) def. Johannes Seeman (SDSU) 6-4, 6-4
2. Illia Maksymchuk (UNLV) def. Bora Sengul (SDSU) 6-3, 3-6, 6-3
3. Chikaya Sato (SDSU) def. Aaron Bailey (UNLV) 1-6, 6-1, 6-4
4. Eugenio Gonzalez Fitzmaurice (SDSU) def. Taiyo Hirano (UNLV) 6-1, 2-6, 7-5
5. Robin Parts (SDSU) def. Thomas Navarro (UNLV) 6-4, 6-3
6. Alexander Mandma (SDSU) def. Creed Skinner (UNLV) 6-4, 6-1
Doubles Competition
1. Johannes Seeman/Eugenio Gonzalez Fitzmaurice (SDSU) def. Anton Ornberg/Jackson Atherton (UNLV) 6-4
2. Robin Parts/Alexander Mandma (SDSU) def. Illia Maksymchuk/Taiyo Hirano (UNLV) 6-2
3. Chikaya Sato/Bora Sengul (SDSU) led Aaron Bailey/Thomas Navarro (UNLV) 5-2
Order of finish: Doubles (2,1); Singles (6,5,1,3,2,4)
Aztecs Triumph Over UNLV 5-2 Thursday
