HONOLULU - The University of Hawai`i men's tennis team began a stretch of four straight matches versus ranked teams with a 5-2 loss to No. 27 Washington Wednesday at the UH Tennis Complex. The Rainbow Warriors dropped to 4-6, while the Huskies improved to 12-3.

The Huskies picked up their third straight win and snapped Hawai`i's modest two-match win streak by taking the doubles point and four of six singles matches. UH Freshman Andreas Weber and sophomore Sascha Heinemann provided the UH highlights by winning their singles competitions on the No. 1 and 2 courts, respectively. The pair continue to dominate as they are now a combined 17-1 in dual matches.

Washington took the doubles point by sweeping all three matches, including a tight 8-7 (7) victory by Daniel Chu and Alex Slovic over Heinemann and Weber on the No. 1 court.

The Huskies were equally impressive in singles competition, winning four matches in straight sets. Washington, however, had no answer for Weber and Heinemann. Weber, ranked 60th in the FILA Collegiate Singles Rankings, took care of Alex Slovic, 7-6(4), 6-4, and in the process remained undefeated (9-0) in dual matches. No. 81 Heinemann (8-1), meanwhile, defeated Andy Kuharszky, 6-3, 7-6(4) for his eighth straight dual match win.

Hawai`i's next hosts the Aloha Invitational, March 23-26 at the UH Tennis Complex. Joining UH in the tournament are nationally ranked squads California, Pepperdine and San Diego State. The Rainbow Warriors kick off the tournament by taking on defending national champs Pepperdine on Friday, March 23 at 4:00 p.m.

No. 27 Washington def. Hawai`i, 5-2
Doubles (UW wins doubles point)
1. Daniel Chu/Slovic (UW) def. Heinemann/Weber, 8-7 (7)
2. Fischer/Ricks (UW) def. Lajola/Spence Mendoza, 8-1
3. Drabble/Kuharszky (UW) def. Fitch/Faulk def. 8-4

Singles (each match worth one team point)
1. Andreas Weber def. Alex Slovic (UW), 7-6(4), 6-4
2. Sascha Heinemann def. Andy Kuharszky (UW), 6-3, 7-6(4)
3. Daniel Chu (UW) def. Derrick Lajola, 6-2, 6-4
4. Patrik Fischer (UW) def. Chad Faulk, 6-1, 6-2
5. Derek Drabble (UW) def. Jeff Fitch, 6-3, 7-6(0)
6. Mike Ricks (UW) def. Brent Hunter, 6-2, 6-2

-UH-