Neither sub-zero temperatures nor opening-match jitters fazed the No. 14 men’s tennis team on Friday and Saturday as it kicked off its season with a strong showing in the Midwest. Despite the minus 19 degree temperature outdoors the Waves took to the indoor courts and knocked off Notre Dame 4-3 for their first team win of the year.
In singles senior Omar Altmann defeated Stephen Haven in two sets 6-4 7-5 and junior Bassam Beidas rallied to upset No. 20 Brett Helgeson 6-4 1-6 6-2.
In the final match of the day sophomore Alejandro Moreno defeated Tyler Davis 6-4 4-6 7-6 to seal the victory for the Waves.
“It was our first match on the road against a good team Moreno said. They won the doubles point and were more intense than us so we had to step it up in singles which we did well.”
Freshman Alex Llompart concluded his day with a big win his first as a Wave upending Notre Dame’s Casey Watt 7-5 4-6 7-6.
The Waves’ duo of Altmann and Beidas picked up the lone win in doubles beating Helgeson and Davis 8-4.
“We’re a really young team and to win that match against Notre Dame was tremendous said Pepperdine Head Coach Adam Steinberg. I thought the guys did well.”
On Sunday the Waves rolled into Champaign-Urbana Ill. to take on the University of Illinois ranked 15th in America by the Intercollegiate Tennis Association. Altmann tallied the only win of the day to conclude the early season road trip.
“We played a little tight and a little afraid at the Illinois match but [Illinois] played amazing tennis. So we have nothing to feel bad about Steinberg said.
The Waves lost 6-1 Sunday, but quickly bounced back with a 6-1 win Wednesday as they played host to the UC Irvine Anteaters in the home-opener at Ralph-Straus Tennis Center.
Altmann continued his hot streak by beating Sam Gould, 6-2, 6-2. Wins in singles by Llompart and fellow freshman Hugh Clarke (6-4, 6-4) also provided a big boost.
Today’s team win really got us back on track Steinberg said.Moreno fell to Steven Henderson in a heartbreaker 6-2, 4-6, 7-6 (8), but got revenge in doubles, winning 8-3 alongside sophomore Stuart Keplar.
We all had things we had to improve on from the Illinois and Notre Dame matches and we followed through. Even though I lost my singles match I was playing brave Moreno said. A loss doesn’t mean anything when you play the way you’re supposed to play. That’s what we did today and that’s why everyone else won against a good Irvine team.”
The Waves’ renewed motivation and determination proved to be a success. With a record of 2-1 to start the season they will battle Cal Poly SLO at home on Saturday at 1 p.m. looking to continue their winning ways.
“Our energy level and our intensity level have to be increased consistently throughout the match for us to be successful but once we do we’ll only get better and better Steinberg said.