FRESNO, CA -- Defending national champion Fresno Pacific swept the doubles and took three of six singles to win its men's tennis opener 6-3 over Hawaii Pacific in Azusa.
The Sunbirds take on UC Santa Cruz in their home opener at 2 p.m. Saturday (Feb. 13) at Haak Tennis Center.
After winning all three doubles matches for a 3-0 lead, Fresno Pacific clinched the match with straight-sets singles wins by
Martin Vaisse and
Maxime Adam for a 5-0 margin.
The Sunbirds, ranked No. 1 in the NAIA, also got a three-set singles win from
Alex Gonzalez.
Hawaii Pacific is ranked No. 5 in NCAA Division II. UC Santa Cruz is No. 4 and defending national champion in DIII.
"I was surprised with the doubles sweep, because I didn't know what to expect," said Fresno Pacific coach Neil Castro, whose Sunbirds have three new players who were not in the lineup that won the NAIA title last season.
"In singles, some of our new guys were in their first match [for FPU] and were nervous," Castro said. "They'll have a chance to go back out on court again [today]."
The Fresno Pacific women open their season by hosting Cal State Stanislaus at 11 a.m. Saturday (Feb. 13) at Haak Tennis Center.
FRESNO PACIFIC 6, HAWAII PACIFIC 3
DOUBLES: Xavier Smith/Alex Gonzalez, FP, d. Petrov/Mcluskey 8-6; Denny Fafek/Jose Hilla, FP, d. Luedi/Samulilan 8-5; Martin Vaisse/Maxime Adam, FP, d. Bader/Markov 8-4.
SINGLES: Petrov, FP, d. Smith 7-6, 1-6, 6-4; Gonzalez, FP. d. Mcluskey 2-6 6-2 6-3; Vaisse, FP, d. Markov 6-2 6-3; Luedl, HP, d. Fafek 6-2, 6-1; Adam, FP, d. Bader 6-1 6-2; Samulilan, HP, d. Hilla 5-7, 6-3, (10-8).
