HONOLULU - The University of Hawai'i men's tennis team gave a valiant effort against Southeastern Conference powerhouse and No. 13 Alabama, in their first dual match of the 2008 season, Thursday afternoon, at the UH Tennis Complex. The Rainbow Warriors (0-1) took the No. 1 and No. 2 singles matches against the Crimson Tide, but fell in the end, 5-2.

In singles play, UH junior Sascha Heinemann beat No. 98 Mathieu Thibaudeau, a tough serve and volley player, 6-3, 6-4, at the No. 1 court. Rainbow Warrior sophomore Andreas Weber, ranked No. 25 in the latest ITA singles rankings, fought back to defeat Saketh Myneni in three exciting sets, 1-6, 6-1, 6-3 at the No. 2 position. Weber has won seven of his last nine singles matches.

Junior Jeff Fitch, had a match point at 5-3 in the second set, but fell in heartbreaking fashion to Javier Bes in three tough sets, 4-6, 7-6(3), 6-2, at the No. 4 position. UH freshman Craig Faulk dropped a tight three set match to Daniel Buikema, 6-4, 5-7, 6-1, at No. 5.

In doubles play, the team of UH's Heinemann and Weber lost a close match to Thibaudeau and Buikema in a tiebreaker, 8-7(5), at the No. 1 court. With only five players, the Rainbow Warriors forfeited No. 6 singles and No. 3 doubles.

The Rainbow Warriors will next play against Atlantic Coast Conference powerhouse and 18th-ranked Florida State, on January 18. First serve is set for 3:00 p.m. at the UH Tennis Complex.

Match Results
No. 13 Alabama def. Hawaii, 5-2
Doubles (Alabama wins doubles point)
1. Mathieu Thibaudeau/Daniel Buikema (UA) def. Sascha Heinemann/Andreas Weber, 8-7(5)
2. Saketh Myneni/Andrew Felsenthal (UA) def. Jeff Fitch/Spence Mendoza, 8-1
3. UH Forfeit

Singles (each match worth one team point)
1. Sascha Heinemann def. Mathieu Thibaudeau (UA), 6-3, 6-4
2. Andreas Weber def. Saketh Myneni (UA), 1-6, 6-1, 6-3
3. Sammy Struyf (UA) def. Spence Mendoza, 6-2, 6-4
4. Javies Bes (UA) def. Jeff Fitch, 4-6, 7-6 (3), 6-2
5. Daniel Buikema (UA) def. Craig Faulk, 6-4, 5-7, 6-1
6. UH Forfeit

-UH-