BERKELEY, Calif.- The No. 54 University of Hawai`i men's tennis team dropped a heartbreaking 4-3 decision to No. 24 California, Saturday at the Hellman Tennis Complex.
The Bears captured the doubles point by winning two of three matches. UH's lone win came from sophomore Dennis Lajola and junior Andreas Weber. Lajola and Weber beat Nick Andrews and Kalim Stewart at the No, 2 court, 8-5.
California won three of the six singles matches, just enough to secure the victory. Lajola, ranked No. 56 in the latest ITA singles rankings, outlasted No. 72 Pdero Zerbini at the No. 1 court. 6-4, 5-7, 1-0(8). Lajola, the Western Athletic Conference player of the week, improved to a team leading 10-4 record on the season.
The Warriors other two victories came from Weber and senior Sascha Heinemann. Weber outplayed Jonathan Dahan in straight sets, 6-4, 6-2 at the No. 3 court. Heinemann came back to defeat Nick Andrews in three sets, 4-6, 6-1, 6-1 at the No. 4 position.
The Warriors continue their three-match road trip on Wednesday, Feb. 10 against No. 50 San Diego. First serve is set for 1:30 p.m. at the USD West Tennis Courts.
No. 24 California def. No. 54 Hawai'i, 4-3
Doubles (California Wins Doubles Point)
1. No. 16 Chizever/Zerbini (CAL) def. Fitch/Rosenberg (UH) 8-5
2. Lajola/Weber (UH) def. N. Andrews/Stewart (CAL) 8-5
3. Dahan/Heavey (CAL) def. Heinemann/Mendoza (UH) 8-3
Order of finish: 2, 1, 3*
Singles
1. No. 56
Dennis Lajola (UH) def. No. 72 Pedro Zerbini (CAL) 6-4, 5-7, 1-0(8)
5. Eoin Heavey (CAL) def.
Jeff Fitch (UH) 6-4, 7-5
6. Bodzhidar Katsarov (CAL) def. Spencer Mendoza (UH) 6-4, 6-1
Order of finish: 6, 5, 2*, 4, 3, 1
-UH-
