Despite hopes to even the score from last year’s playoff loss, the UCSD men’s tennis team suffered a heartbreaking defeat to Hawaii Pacific University, 7-1, in the Division II National Collegiate Athletic Association Regionals on May 3.
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“”They are probably the best team we’ve played all year … everyone fought pretty hard but these guys are just too good. We competed well; we got in those third sets,”” said UCSD assistant coach Seth Mikkelson.
The match drew a large and energetic crowd although a heavy storm delayed the match for almost five hours. Despite home-court advantage and solid play, the Sea Warriors proved to be too good for the Tritons that day.
UCSD had a tall order on their hands, contending with four of the six HPU players who ranked in the top 40, nationally. It was also challenging due to the fact that UCSD was playing a team of older, more professionally experienced players on athletic scholarships like Mikael Maatta, who is ranked No. 7 in the nation in singles and No. 9 in doubles.
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Seeking to take an early lead in the match, the Tritons struggled through doubles play and ended up behind in the match. At No. 3, seniors Mike Meyer and Sean Nagel played one of their best doubles matches of the season, crushing HPU’s Milos Koprivica and Sasa Pirc 8-2 for the lone UCSD victory. No. 1 and No. 2 doubles were very close and the matches could have gone either way, but the Sea Warriors pulled away and won them, taking early advantage.
“”I think we could’ve played better for sure [in doubles],”” said UCSD head coach Eric Steidlmayer. “”I think there was some chances in No. 1 doubles all day, I think we had five or six break points we didn’t convert and if we won two of those, we would’ve won that match pretty easily. And at No. 2 doubles, we didn’t play to the ability that we could and know we have but that happens sometimes. I thought our No. 3 team played a hell of a match, so I was really happy for them. Both my seniors on the team — the only seniors — played a tremendous match.””
The Tritons came out looking nervous and cautious at the beginning.
“”We came out nervous, especially Jeff and I,”” said UCSD freshman Tommy Novak. “”We fought hard to the end; we played down the whole match and tried to keep fighting. We weren’t able to find our good rhythm at all. [Losing the doubles match] made it a lot harder from a mental standpoint because Jeff would’ve been a lot more confident, and [Trebler] who played my brother would’ve been a lot less confident and [Blas] would’ve been a lot less confident. So, it’s hard when you’re [down 2-1] like that.””
Despite a 2-1 deficit, the Tritons took the courts for singles hoping to fare better. However, the Tritons found themselves playing with their backs against the wall as two matches ended early with junior Sameer Chopra and junior Blake Wilson-Hayden both losing in straight sets.
Captain Mike Meyer, sophomore Bryan Swatt, sophomore Emil Novak and junior Jeff Wilson all faced must-win situations in each of their singles matches in order to continue postseason play beyond regionals. Each of their matches was a nail biter and they all battled hard despite the pressure, playing with a lot of heart and courage. Although they lost (except for Emil Novak who did not finish), the Tritons did not easily hand the win over, forcing three sets in these remaining matches.
“”[In singles], we played hard, all of us,”” Tommy Novak said. “”We lost the first set in five out of the six matches and won the second set in four out of the six matches. You really can’t ask for much more … my brother was down, [Trebler] was serving for the match 5-4 [in the second set], and [Emil] played incredible to win 7-5 … Bryan and Mike, [both were] playing guys who were really good and they fought hard.””
Steidlmayer expressed a similar sentiment.
“”In singles I thought we competed hard. All the guys were giving everything they’ve got and that team is just better. It’s always tough for me because I think the guys give a great effort all the time and it’s hard when you lose,”” Steidlmayer said.
Even though they are devastated by their loss, the Tritons know they had a good season, having accomplished many goals. The Tritons have put UCSD on the map with a top-15 ranking, a clean sweep of the California Collegiate Athletic Association teams and solid play against the top-ranking schools in Division II.
“”We did accomplish a lot, beat a lot of good teams, [got a ranking of] 13th in the nation, we went to Florida, got some respect there and the rest of the teams know who we are now,”” Tommy Novak said. “”[It is] especially hard when we are a non-scholarship team.””
Despite the loss, the freshman Novak is optimistic about next season.””We’ll be better next year, that’s for sure. I’m looking forward to next year and we’ll be back definitely … better and stronger.””
