SANTA BARBARA, Calif. - Playing its fourth consecutive match with a depleted lineup due to COVID-19 protocols, UC Santa Barbara dropped a 4-3 decision to visiting Cal Poly on Saturday.
The Gauchos (6-5 overall, 4-2 Big West) claimed the doubles point against the Mustangs (12-7, 5-0) won three singles matches on the court and a fourth by default to likely claim the No. 1 seed at the 2021 Big West Tournament at The Great Park in Irvine, Calif., on April 30-May 2.
UCSB was impressive in the doubles contest, sweeping the two matches that were played. Junior Victor Krustev and freshman Kai Brady defeated Cal Poly's Joe Leather and Roman Shenkiryk, 6-4 at No. 1. In the No. 2 spot, it was freshman Pablo Masjuan and senior Joseph Rotheram, playing his final match at the Recreation Center Courts, defeating Antoine Noel and Andrew Whitehouse, 6-3. As had been the case in the previous three matches, the No. 3 doubles could not be played because Santa Barbara had just five available players.
"We've mixed some things up at doubles and it paid off," said head coach Marty Davis. "Winning the doubles point today at least gave us a chance to compete."
In singles, the Gauchos were able to win at No. 3 and No. 4. At No. 3, Rotheram defeated Noel after the latter retired in the second set. Noel had won the first set 6-7, but was trailing 1-0 in the second set. At No. 4 singles, Brady continued to imporss with a 6-3, 4-6, 10-2 win over Leather. The Mustangs won at No. 6 in a default. At No. 1, Alex Stater defeated Krustev, who had won three straight matches playing No. 1, two slots ahead of his familiar No. 3, 6-1, 6-2. At No. 2, Noah Berry swept Masjuan, 6-2, 6-2, and at No. 5 Fernando Fonseca swept Luka Vukmanovic, 6-1, 6-2.
"I'm optimistic that we can get some of our guys back for our last regular season match," Davis said. "And of course the Big West Tournament. With a full roster, it would be very interesting."
UCSB has won five consecutive Big West Tournament titles and will likely enter this year's tournament as the No. 3 seed. The last time a Gaucho team entered the tournament as anything but the No. 1 seed was in 2015 when they were also No. 3. The result? The first of the five straight tournament championships.
Santa Barbara will complete the regular season at San Diego State on Wednesday, April 28.
Cal Poly vs UC Santa Barbara
4/17/2021 at Santa Barbara, Calif.
(Recreation Center Courts)
Cal Poly 4, UC Santa Barbara 3
Singles competition
1. Alex Stater (CP) def. Victor Krustev (UCSB) 6-1, 6-2
2. Noah Berry (CP) def. Pablo, Masjuan (UCSB) 6-2, 6-2
3. Joseph Rotheram (UCSB) def. Antoine Noel (CP) 6-7, 1-0, retired
4. Kai Brady (UCSB) def. Joe Leather (CP) 6-3, 4-6, 10-2
5. Fernando Fonseca (CP) def. Luka Vukmanovic (UCSB) 6-1, 6-2
6. Gary Vardanyan (CP) def. No player (UCSB), by default
Doubles competition
1. Victor Krustev/Kai Brady (UCSB) def. Joe Leather/Roman Shenkiryk (CP) 6-4
2. Pablo, Masjuan/Joseph Rotheram (UCSB) def. Antoine Noel/Andrew Whitehouse (CP) 6-3
3. Alex Stater/Gary Vardanyan (CP) def. No player/No player (UCSB), by default
Match Notes:
Cal Poly 12-7 overall, 5-0 BW
UC Santa Barbara 6-5 overall, 4-2 BW
Order of finish: Doubles (,2,1); Singles (6,1,2,5,3,4)
T-2:05
