Lubbock, Texas - The Pacific men's tennis team posted a 4-3 victory over No. 41 New Mexico Monday at the Texas Invitational as Sem Verbeek, Miguel Diaz, and Jose Chambra posted singles wins.
In singles action, Verbeek downed Van Leijsen, 7-5, 6-2 while Diaz posted a 6-2, 6-2 victory over Escutia. Chambra defeated Jauregui 6-4, 6-2, while three New Mexico wins made doubles the deciding factor. Sabathka topped Alameh 7-5, 6-3, while Ge squeaked by Giannini 7-5, 6-4. Hernandez-Tong rallied against Oliveira, 1-6, 7-5, 6-4.
The Tigers took the doubles point and the victory as Verbeek and Chambra knocked off the No. 8 ranked doubles tandem of Hayden Sabathka and Bart Van Leijsen, 6-3, while Daniel Alameh and Alex Giannini downed Augustus Ge and Rodolfo Jauregui, 6-4. Those two wins rendered Diaz and Bernardo Oliveira's contest with Jorge Escutia and Ricky Hernandez-Tong moot as the match went unfinished.
"I am really proud of the team for the way they got better each match this week," head coach Ryan Redondo said. "Today we started in 29 degree weather, and five hours later we came out with the victory over a tough New Mexico program. This was a whirlwind of a match. We started with singles and had many chances to finish it in the singles but with a little hesitation and a big push back by the Lobos we found ourselves playing a set of doubles to see who wins. Sem and Jose came out fast and defeated the #8 team in the country and then Daniel and Alex came from behind 2-4 and clinched the match 6-4. Super proud of the backbone we displayed today and am really happy with the physical work they have done in the gym because I don't know many sports that go five hours straight. Nevertheless, we are far from where we want to be and we have a ton of work to do back in Tiger Territory."
Pacific improves to 2-3 on the season, while New Mexico falls to 1-4.
The Tigers contest against Arizona was cancelled due to time contraints. Pacific returns to Stockton and will meet UC Davis at Hal Nelson Tennis Courts on Wednesday, January 27, at 1 p.m.
