By Kyle Jorrey
Sports Editor
The No. 15 ranked men’s tennis team knew coming into last Saturday’s dual against conference rival San Diego State that they were in for a fight. Though it had only competed in two matches this season, the Aztec squad, led by upperclassmen, had an abundance of talent and plenty of motivation.
Despite starting off with some of its best doubles play of the season, sweeping all three matches, the Waves would lose the contest 4-3 as SDSU took four of six singles matches.
Head Coach Adam Steinberg said the disappointing loss had a lot do with the difference in match experience between the two teams.
“When the match got close it showed their inexperience,” Steinberg said. “We got tight, we got nervous … they are a very good team, but we didn’t play nearly up to our potential.”
Things started well for the Waves, when No. 1 doubles tandem juniors Calle Hansen and Diego Acuna knocked off Oliver Maiberger and Ryan Redondo, who were the sixth-ranked doubles team in the nation.
The win improved the duo’s record to 8-1 on the year, as they continue to ascend national doubles rankings.
“(Hansen’s) and my game, somehow they have just come together in a way that we’re just beating people,” Acuna said. “That was huge for me and him, but the overall loss was devastating.”
No. 2 doubles freshmen Scott Doerner and Pedro Rico grabbed a victory next, before freshman Kevin Borzenski and sophomore Alexis Radifison wrapped up the sweep taking No. 3 doubles for the first time this season.
“I was really happy with doubles. We finally got that win at three doubles … that was definitely something positive that will help us in the future,” Steinberg said.
After taking the doubles point, the team and their coach expected to take the momentum into singles play, but it wasn’t to be.
Aside from wins from Hansen and Doerner, the rest of the Waves would come up short, including a surprising defeat at No. 3 singles where Rico dropped his match to former Pepperdine athlete Redondo 6-2, 6-2.
Doerner, who improved to 6-2 in singles play, said some Waves didn’t play to their ability.
“A few of the guys just didn’t have their best days … I’m not sure if it was nerves or what,” Doerner said. “But it’s better it happen to us now, then to have it happen at the NCAAs.”
This week the Waves will have to try to get things going amid a flurry of matches. The team has home matches against Hawaii and Loyola Marymount Thursday and Friday, before setting off for a big match away at Baylor Sunday. They round out the week with a home match against San Diego Wednesday.
Regardless of their most recent setback, Steinberg and his players said a lot of competing is just what the team needs.
“I think we need to play as much as possible,” the head coach said. “We need to play and play and play and get wins under our belt. We’re coming up to the midpoint of the season and we need to get the confidence back.
“(The SDSU match) was something that really woke us up,” Steinberg continued. “We had a big chance to win and we didn’t handle the pressure very well. Hopefully the guys are going to use it to work harder, and try and get a win this week against Hawaii.”
Of all the upcoming matches, players said the LMU contest may be the one that means the most personally. With word abound that LMU might be the team to knock the Waves off their WCC throne, players are determined to prove they’re are still the premier squad in the conference.
“A lot of people said they expect LMU to win the WCC, and that’s something we haven’t lost in 20 years,” Doerner said. “We’re going to go out there quietly and handle business, but that’s one we’re all gunning for.”
Acuna said all the outside talk will only be motivation for the match.
“Whoever on the team says they don’t think about that is lying,” Acuna said.
February 13, 2003