FRESNO, Calif.- The Sunbirds three game win streak came to an end Wednesday afternoon in heartbreaking fashion as they lost 4-3 to the #10 Azusa Pacific Cougars who are now 6-0 on the season.
The Sunbirds started out hot in the doubles. Court three had back and forth games, but the 'Birds came out on top, with Brodie Sodersten and Emilio Seelbach securing the 6-4 victory. Court two's Gregor Kliimask and Martin Ramirez were next to finish, clinching the doubles point for the 'Birds with their 7-5 win. With the doubles point decided, the court one duo of Sven Bangert and Ben Cronau left their match unfinished at 4-5.
The Cougars secured their first point of the match on court one where #9 Elias Walker took care of Brodie Sodersten in straight sets 6-2, 6-0.
On court three, Martin Ramirez found himself in an early tiebreaker for the first set, where he came out victorious 8-6, taking the first set 7-6. Ramirez continued that momentum to win the second set 7-5, giving the 'Birds their second point.
Ravi Nelson battled on court two, but fell 6-7 (5), 3-6, to #26 Soeren Grandke, giving the Cougars another point, tying the match 2-2.
Bangert dropped his first set on court six, but had a comeback set win in the second taking it 6-4. In the third set, Bangert continued his momentum from the second to take the third in decisive fashion 6-1. The victory by Bangert gave the Sunbirds their third point, needing just one more to clinch.
On court four, Kliimask fought but fell in straight sets 4-6, 5-7 to #44 David James Brownlee, tying the match 3-3.
The match came down to court six, where Seelbach was engaged in a back-and-forth affair with #37 Joan Crespo. Seelbach secured the first set 7-5, but Crespo came back fighting in the second set, taking it 6-2, to force a third set. Seelbach battled, but fell short, losing, 7-5, 2-6, 3-6, clinching the match for the Cougars 4-3.
UP NEXT
Fresno Pacific will take a week off before they host a scrimmage against the Fresno City College Rams on Wednesday February 26th at 10am.
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