HONOLULU – Despite gutsy performances by its top singles and doubles team, the University of Hawai‘i men’s tennis squad dropped a 5-2 decision to Virginia, Friday afternoon, at the UH Tennis Complex. The Warriors (1-3), played its first match of the spring season and for the first time since Nov. 29.

The Warriors captured the No. 1 and No. 2 singles spots with come-from-behind efforts by Reginaldo Moralejo and Malino Oda. In the final two matches of the day, Moralejo and Oda overcame one-set deficits by Virginia’s Mike Duquette and Chris Gonyer.

Oda dropped his opening game, losing 8-6 in the tiebreaker. But the Kula, Maui native fought back with a vengeance, taking the next two games, 6-3, 6-4. However, his comeback was overshadowed by Moralejo’s courageous effort. Nursing a right ankle injury, the senior gutted out a 3-6, 7-6 (5), 6-4 victory.

In doubles competition, the Warriors’ top-seeded team of Oda and Justin Menolascino beat Duquette and Stephen Nolan, 8-6.

The Cavaliers easily won the No. 3-6 singles spots, each in straight sets.



Singles
1. Reginaldo Moralejo (UH) def. Mike Duquette, 3-6, 7-6 (5), 6-4
2. Malino Oda (UH) def. Chris Gonyer, 6-7 (6), 6-3, 6-4
3. Rylan Rizza def. Francisco Brignole (UH), 6-1, 6-4
4. Stephen Nolen def. Justin Menolascino (UH), 6-1, 6-2
5. Darrin Cohen def. Jarrod Diepraam (UH), 6-0, 6-3
6. Nick Meythaler def. Anoulom Tesche (UH), 6-1, 6-0

Doubles
1. Oda/Menolascino (UH) def. Duquette/Nolen, 8-6
2. Gonyer/Cohen def. Diepraam/Tesche (UH), 8-0
3. Meythaler/Rizza def. Moralejo/Brignole (UH), 8-4



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