This recent run started with a 5-4 defeat of Barry University, with senior Erik Elliot winning his singles match as well as his doubles match with sophomore Austin West to give the Tritons two points. West, along with senior Vincent Nguyen and freshman Max Jiganti, won their singles matches to give the Tritons the victory.
A day later, the team defeated Hawaii Pacific 6-3. West, Nguyen, Jiganti once again won their singles matches along with junior Sam Ling, while Elliott and West and juniors Chapman Chan and Jason Wall won their doubles matches.
One day later, the Tritons crushed Lafayette College 9-0 for an easy victory. Elliot, Ling and Jiganti needed three sets to win the number one, three and five singles matches, while the rest of the players won their matches with relative ease.
On March 25, the Tritons took on Sonoma State, who were 0-8 entering the match and it was no contest. “I was very happy we came back competitively after a long layoff,” head coach Eric Steidlmayer said.
Finally, the Tritons defeated Western New Mexico 8-1, to improve its record 15-0, the best start of Steidlmayer’s 13-year tenure. Elliot, West and Chan continued their impressive seasons with victories. Western New Mexico’s only point came from Rodrigo Almeida, who won the number four singles match over Ling. The doubles matches were competitive, with the Tritons winning all three at scores of 9-7, 9-7, 8-5.
The team is currently ranked No. 24 and has a long layover until its next match, which takes place Wednesday, April 13 against Concordia Irvine at UCSD.
The women’s tennis team defeated Cal State Stanislaus 6-3, before hitting the road for two matches. Senior Cindy Dao continued her superb season, winning both the no. 2 two singles and no. 2 doubles matches. Dao’s doubles partner, sophomore Jacquelyn Davis, also won the no. 6 singles match. The doubles team of junior Katie Mulloy and Roxanna Pourmirzaie won their doubles match as well. Mulloy also won the no. 5 singles match.
“The team played tough at all positions,” head coach Liz LaPlante said.
LaPlante added that she was pleased with the team’s effort, given that several players were injured and unable to practice leading up to the match.
On Friday and Saturday, the Tritons defeated Sonoma State and Cal State Stanislaus again, winning on the road 5-4 for both matches, pushing their winning streak to four matches. Against Sonoma State, Dao once again led the way, with Mulloy, Davis and junior Samantha Yeung providing singles victories, while Dao and Davis clinched the match by winning their doubles match.
Against Cal State Stanislaus, Dao, Yeung, Mulloy and Davis all won their singles matches, while Pourmirzaie and Mulloy clinched the victory by winning their doubles match. The team is currently ranked No .17 in the nation, with four more matches before post-season play.
Readers can contact Jonathan Kaslow at [email protected].