March 20, 2010

Indian Wells, Calif. - The Pacific men's tennis team took a 3-1 lead over No. 53 Iowa Saturday afternoon at the Wichita State Tournament, but could not grab the needed fourth win to pull off the upset, falling 4-3 to the Hawkeyes. The Tigers dropped to 3-8 overall with the loss.

"We continue to get solid play at the top of the line-up," said Head Coach Matt Lucas. "But the doubles point ended up really costing us."

Junior Artem Gramma (Krivoj Roj, Ukraine) tied the match at 1-1 after defeating Marc Bruche at the No. 1 position in straight sets, 6-4, 6-1. Gramma boasts a 3-2 record this season against opponents from ranked teams and is 9-5 overall for the spring.

Playing out of the No. 2 position, newcomer Ivan Castro (Mogi das Cruzes, Brazil) broke out of his three match skid to take Nikita Zotov (6-1, 6-2) in straight sets, giving the Tigers the lead 2-1.

Bouncing back from a tough 6-1 first set loss to Reinound Haal in the No. 3 position, senior Renan Delsin (Santa Cruz da Conceicao, Brazil) won set two 6-3 and forced a tie-break. He then outlasted Haal 7-6 (5) to earn the Tigers last win of the match.

More details of the match to come.

Pacific continues play at the tournament against host Wichita State tomorrow, March 21. Match time is scheduled for 1 p.m.

PACIFIC MEN'S TENNIS
No. 53 Iowa 4, Pacific 3
Wichita State Tournament in Indian Wells, Calif.
Saturday, March 20, 2010, 1 p.m.

Doubles
1. Gramma/Castro def. Bruche/Mroziewcz (UI) 9-7
2. Vasos/McGeorge (UI) def. Veskimagi/Oliphant (PAC) 9-7
3. Haal/Dunn (UI) def. Ristow/Delsin (PAC) 9-8 (5)

Singles
1. Artem Gramma (PAC) def. Marc Bruche (UI) 6-4, 6-1
2. Ivan Castro (PAC) def. Nikita Zotov (UI) 6-1, 6-2
3. Renan Delsin (PAC) def. Reinoud Haal (UI) 1-6, 6-3, 7-6 (3)
4. Will Vasos (UI) def. Fernando Ristow (PAC) 6-1, 4-6, 6-2
5. Tommy McGeorge (UI) def. Vegerd Veskimagi (PAC) 6-1, 7-5
6. Austen Kauss (UI) def. Chase Oliphant (PAC) 6-0, 6-0