IRVINE, Calif. - Playing shorthanded due to COVID-19 protocols, UC Santa Barbara dropped its first match against Big West Conference competition since April 11, 2015, falling at UC Irvine, 5-2.

 

The Gauchos (5-4 overall, 3-1 Big West) were playing with just five players, but they took the Anteaters (8-5, 3-1) to the limit.

 

After losing the doubles point and forfeiting at No. 6 singles, UCSB recorded a pair of singles wins. Playing No. 1 for the second match in a row, Victor Krustev defeated 67th-ranked Bjorn Hoffman 7-6 (4), 3-6, 6-2. At No. 3, Joseph Rotheram battled back from a loss in the first set to top Matthew Sah, 3-6, 6-1, 6-2. 

 

At the No. 2 position in the lineup, Pablo Masjuan fell in a marathon to Mateusz Smolicki, 6-7 (4), 7-6 (4) and 7-6 (3). UCI's Mike Mkrtchian also needed three sets to get past the Gauchos' Kai Brady at No. 4, 1-6, 7-5, 6-1. At No. 5, Ali Amiri swept UCSB's Josh Williams, 6-1, 6-1. 

 

The streak of 35 straight wins against Big West opponents was the longest of any UCSB program. It began in the 2015 Big West Tournament and continued through Saturday's 5-2 win at UC San Diego. During that span, the Gauchos also won five consecutive league titles and advanced to five NCAA Tournaments.

 

"Victor had a great win over a ranked opponent today," said head coach Marty Davis. "At one point, we had won the first sent on courts one, two and four, and Joey (Rotheram) split sets on No. 3. It looked like we might win, but in the end, they (the Anteaters) were too much for our five-man team."

 

UCSB will play its final two home matches of the season next weekend. On Friday, April 16, the Gauchos play UC Riverside in a 1:00 p.m. match and on Saturday, April 17, they host Cal Poly on Senior Day at 10:00 a.m. Both matches will be played at the Recreation Center Courts. As has been the case the entire season, no spectators will be permitted.

 

 

1. Victor Krustev (UCSB) def. #67 Bjorn Hoffman (UCI) 7-6 (0-4), 3-6, 6-2

2. Mateusz Smolicki (UCI) def. Pablo, Masjuan (UCSB) 6-7 (0-4), 7-6 (4-0), 7-6 (3-0)

3. Joseph Rotheram (UCSB) def. Matthew Sah (UCI) 3-6, 6-1, 6-2

4. Mike Mkrtchian (UCI) def. Kai Brady (UCSB) 1-6, 7-5, 6-1

5. Ali Amiri (UCI) def. Josh Williams (UCSB) 6-1, 6-1

6. Thomas Smart (UCI) def. No player (UCSB), by forfeit

 

1. Bjorn Hoffman/Mateusz Smolicki (UCI) def. Kai Brady/Victor Krustev (UCSB) 7-5

2. Bruce Man-Son-Hing/Matthew Sah (UCI) def. Pablo, Masjuan/Joseph Rotheram (UCSB) 6-2

3. Thomas Smart/Jonathan Star (UCI) def. No player/No player (UCSB), by forfeit

 

Match Notes:

UC Santa Barbara 5-4, 3-1 BWC

UC Irvine 8-5, 3-1 BWC

Order of finish: Doubles (3,2,1); Singles (6,5,4,3,2,1