Box Score
LAS CRUCES, N.M. – The University of Hawai'i men's tennis team's effort to reclaim its Western Athletic Conference Tournament crown came to a disappointing end on Saturday with a 4-3 semifinal loss to Idaho at the New Mexico State Tennis Complex. UH closes the season at 7-12.
Third-seeded Hawai'i led 3-1 before the Vandals won the bottom three singles flights in a trio of tough three-set matches. In the decisive and final match at four singles,
Nils Schuhmann rallied but ultimately lost 6-3, 3-6, 6-3 to Idaho's Jose Bendeck as the second-seeded Vandals (14-13) advanced to Sunday's championship match.
In doubles action
Jonathan Brooklyn and
Dmytro Kovalyov topped Bedneck and Rasos Salazar at No. 1, 8-5, but it was Idaho who grabbed the point on the heels of wins at the two and three.
The Warriors took charge in singles play right from the start, quickly leveling the match with Kovalyov's 6-3, 6-1 victory at two singles over Abid Akbar. Brooklyn had the same success at the one with a 6-3, 6-3 sweep over Marius Cirstea, and
Chas Okamoto added to the lead with a 7-5, 7-5 win over Salazar at three singles.
The loss was the second to the Vandals this month. UH lost 4-3 then as well in a match played in Logan, Utah on Apr. 13. Idaho will play top-seeded Fresno State for the tournament title.
Idaho 4, Hawai'i 3
Singles competition: Order of Finish: 2,1,3,6,5,4
1. Jonathon Brooklyn (UH) def. Marius Cirstea (UI) 6-3, 6-3
2.
Dmytro Kovalyov (UH) def. Abid Akbar (UI) 6-1, 6-3
3.
Chas Okamoto (UH) def. C. Rasos Salazar (UI) 7-5, 7-5
4. Jose Bendeck (UI) def.
Nils Schuhmann (UH) 6-3, 3-6, 6-3
5. Cesar Torres (UI) def.
Jared Spiker (UH) 5-7, 6-4, 6-3
6. Alan Shin (UI) def.
Danilo Casanova (UH) 6-2, 1-6, 6-2
Doubles competition: Order of Finish: 3,1,2
1.
Jonathan Brooklyn/
Dmytro Kovalyov (UH) def. Jose Bendeck/C. Rasos Salazar (UI) 8-5
2. Abid Akbar/Andrew Dobbs (UI) def.
Chas Okamoto/Charles Rice (UH) 8-5
3. Marius Cirstea/Filip Fichtel (UI) def.
Nils Schuhmann/
Danilo Casanova (UH) 8-3
-UH-
