This past weekend, the fifth-ranked UCSD men’s tennis team wrapped up its final season games with an unfortunate loss at the hands of Division I team Santa Clara University, 2-5. With the loss, the Tritons’ overall record dropped to 15-6 for the season heading into the regional playoffs.
The Tritons knew that they were in for a tough match because of D-I Santa Clara University’s No. 68 ranking.
“”I thought we came out pretty pumped up,”” junior Eric Rubens said. “”We knew they were a pretty good team and that this would be one of the toughest matches of the year. It gave us an idea of what to expect and work on in the regionals and nationals.””
Santa Clara University jumped out to an early 1-0 lead. Using the D-I scoring method, the Tritons gave up the early point by losing two of the three doubles matches.
No. 2 doubles seniors Seth Spector and Steven Oechel fell to their opponents 4-8 while No. 3 doubles freshmen Bijan Moallemi and Brandon Low also lost with the same score.
The lone bright spot from doubles play came from No. 1 juniors Blake Meister and Rubens, who defeated their opponents 8-7.
The team’s doubles play is still raising some eyebrows, but head coach Eric Steidlmayer feels improvements can be made with the break the team is given before the playoffs begin.
“”Doubles is a very important aspect of our success,”” he said. “”I do think we will get better in the next few weeks. Having the time to get back to the fundamentals of things will help.””
The team fared a little bit better during singles play, taking two of the six matches. Both Triton wins came in three sets.
No. 4 singles Low defeated his opponent in a hard-fought battle, 6-2, 4-6, 10-7, while No. 6 singles sophomore Kazumi Negishi also won in three sets, 6-4, 3-6, 11-9.
Unfortunately, the team could not muster any more wins. Three of the four Triton losses came in straight sets as No. 1 Moallemi fell, 3-6, 1-6; No. 3 Spector lost, 1-6, 2-6; and No. 5 Oechel lost 3-6, 2-6. No. 2 Rubens nearly came back in three sets but could not pull it through, losing 3-6, 6-4 and 5-10.
Steidlmayer seemed to be somewhat disappointed with the team’s play against Santa Clara University.
“”Overall, our performance was mediocre,”” he said. “”While some players played fairly well, others did not.””
However, despite the loss, the team’s morale is still high and its players are still confident with the playoffs coming up.
“”I don’t think morale was down after the loss,”” Steidlmayer said. “”We were disappointed with losing, but also know that we need to get better in the next few weeks prior to the playoffs.””
With the break in between the regular season and the regional playoffs, the team is planning on getting back to the basics.
“”Absolutely, the focus is getting back into form, trying to get back to fundamentals that we may have forgotten playing so many matches,”” Steidlmayer said.
The Tritons are the top-ranked team in the West Region and are hoping for a good draw in the regional playoffs on May 4.
“”[Getting a good draw] definitely helps,”” Steidlmayer said. “”If we play like we are able to, we can go far into the playoffs.””
The team is looking forward to making some noise at the playoffs and fully expects to make it to the nationals.
“”I expect us to win our regional team and get to the national tourney,”” he said. “”We feel like we can beat any team in the national tournament and we all think we can do pretty well.””
