SANTA BARBARA, Calif. – UCSB men's tennis capped their homestand with a dominating 6-1 victory over the visiting Gonzaga Bulldogs (5-3) to earn their fifth win of the season and remain undefeated at home. The Gauchos overcame a disappointing start in doubles to sweep all six singles matches en route to the 6-1 win.
UCSB looked to be on their way to a doubles victory with a win at court 2 and the lead at No. 1 doubles but the Bulldogs battled back to take the 1-0 lead.
At No. 2 doubles, Nathan Eshmade and Erik Johnsson posted a 6-4 win over Gonzaga's Nick Kamisar and Sergio Chip. The Gauchos' No. 1 pairing of Tobias Galskov and Ziad Sultan held a 4-1 lead against Hayden Smith/ Vladimir Mijatovic but the Bulldogs came back to win 7-5.
The doubles point came down to the No. 3 court where the Zags snapped Morgan Mays and Andrew Riminton's six-match winning streak after winning the tiebreak to earn the early lead.
"We held two match points in the doubles and let the doubles point get away," said Head Coach Marty Davis. "To bounce back from that and sweep singles was good."
Junior Nathan Eshmade moved up to the No. 2 court and set the tone with a 6-1, 6-2 victory against Nick Kamisar.
"Nathan was the first one off the court with a very impressive 6-1, 6-2 win," said Head Coach Marty Davis. "He's playing an overwhelming, net-attacking style of play that's been very effective," continued Davis.
Sophomores Teague Hamilton and Morgan Mays added two more wins at the No. 5 and No. 3 courts, respectively, to put the Gauchos on the brink of victory at 3-1.
Freshman Cody Rakela clinched the victory for the Gauchos after defeating Vladimir Mijatovic 6-4, 6-2 at No. 4 singles.
Senior Tobias Galskov and sophomore Erik Johnsson closed out the match with two more victories to make the final score 6-1. Galskov continued his strong play and won his match at the No. 1 court, 6-3, 6-2 against Alvaro Nazal. Johnsson returned to the singles lineup for only his second match of the dual season to beat Vicente Varas 7-6, 6-1.
The Gauchos will take a break away from the courts during finals but will return to action for a three-match Spring Break road trip. UCSB will travel to face Northern Colorado, Denver, and Boise State. The road trip will begin on Wednesday, March 25 in Greeley, Colo.
UC Santa Barbara vs. Gonzaga
March 8, 2015 at Santa Barbara, Calif.
(Robertson Gym Courts)
UC Santa Barbara 6, Gonzaga 1
Doubles
1. Hayden Smith/Vladimir Mijatovic (GON) def. Tobias Galskov/Ziad Sultan (UCSB) 7-5
2. Nathan Eshmade/Erik Johnsson (UCSB) def. Nick Kamisar/Sergio Chip (GON) 6-4
3. Alvaro Nazal/Joey Brandt (GON) def. Morgan Mays/Andrew Riminton (UCSB) 7-6
Singles
1. Tobias Galskov (UCSB) def. Alvaro Nazal (GON) 6-3, 6-2
2. Nathan Eshmade (UCSB) def. Nick Kamisar (GON) 6-1, 6-2
3. Morgan Mays (UCSB) def. Hayden Smith (GON) 6-2, 6-4
4. Cody Rakela (UCSB) def. Vladimir Mijatovic (GON) 6-4, 6-2
5. Teague Hamilton (UCSB) def. Sergio Chip (GON) 6-1, 7-5
6. Erik Johnsson (UCSB) def. Vicente Varas (GON) 7-6, 6-1
Order of Finish: Doubles (2, 1, 3); Singles (2, 5, 3, 4, 1, 6)
UCSB Season Record: Overall (5-6); Big West (0-1)
