UCSD’s solid 9-0 sweep against Division I Boston College on Monday continued its excellent year and boosted the Tritons’ record to an unprecedented 10-0.
The beginning doubles tandem of Sameer Chopra and Bryan Swatt boosted the spirits of the Tritons because they were down two breaks at 4-6 and came back to win the pro set in a tiebreaker 9-8.
UCSD’s Jeff Wilson and Everett Schroeter stomped on BC’s No. 2 team of Chris McCoy and Marc Lucero, beating them 8-0.
The Tritons’ No. 3 doubles team of Dan Albrecht and Sean Nagel secured the doubles sweep for UCSD with its 8-4 victory over the Eagles’ duo of Ross Pytko and Paul Colahan.
For the most part, the Tritons also dominated the singles matches, but Chopra’s singles match was a true tennis battle.
Chopra remained mentally tough and pulled out the first set 7-6, winning the tiebreaker and continuing his strong play to pick up the win in straight sets against BC’s No. 1 Justin Slattery.
The No. 2 spot, occupied by Swatt, also won in straight sets (6-3, 6-3) like the rest of the Triton squad.
No. 3 player Wilson and No. 4 Blake Wilson-Hayden, both sophomores, sealed 6-1, 6-4 victories by playing strong yet composed tennis.
Emil Novak and Schroeter, in the No. 5 and No. 6 singles positions, also showed the Eagles what UCSD tennis is made of, securing 6-2, 6-1 and 6-1, 6-1. Both were commanding wins that aided the 9-0 overall victory.
Head coach Eric Steidlmayer was thrilled with his team, especially the efforts of Chopra and Swatt in both singles and doubles; not to mention the rest of the team stepping up to a Division I squad and sending the opponent back to Boston with a huge bagel.
“”I think that today showed how much we have improved since last year and how we are improving this season,”” Steidlmayer said. “”The individuals I look to are Bryan Swatt and Sameer Chopra. Bryan would not have been able to win that doubles match three months ago. He has really progressed in his mental abilities.””
Steidlmayer was just as pleased with his No. 1 player.
“”The same can be said for Chopra,”” he said. “”Last year, he wouldn’t have won the match that he won in singles today. He won on pure guts today, pure and simple. He played with less than his best and still fought extremely hard to pull out the win.””
The positive momentum of the Tritons should help them in their matches this weekend against the Division III Redlands, a top team in its division.
The Tritons will also face Cal Poly Pomona, ranked No. 21 nationally, a tough team that they have had trouble with in the past. Both matches are away, and it won’t be until April 5 when the squad is at home again playing a match against Gustavus Adolphus College.
