HONOLULU, O'ahu - The UC Santa Barbara Men's Tennis opened up their quest to repeat as Big West Champions with a strong 5-2 win over Hawai'i Thursday afternoon. 

THE MATCH
Final: No. 44 UC Santa Barbara 5, Hawai'i 2
Records UC Santa Barbara 9-5 (1-0 Big West), Hawai'i 5-11 (0-2 Big West)

HOW IT HAPPENED
The Gauchos got out to an early advantage with Luka Mrsic and Conrad Brown making quick work of their opponent to gain the upper hand in doubles play. Gianluca Brunkow and Lucca Liu finished off the doubles point with a 6-3 win on court two.

Brunkow kept the momentum going for the Gauchos as he picked up UC Santa Barbara's second point on court two. Kai Brady picked up the third Gaucho point with a straight set victory on court five and Conrad Brown would clinch the match for Santa Barbara with a dominant 6-2, 6-1 victory on court six. The Gauchos would add one more point to their tally while the Rainbow Warriors got two before the match concluded. 

RESULTS
Singles competition
1. Quinn Snyder (UH) def. #44 Pablos Masjuan (UCSB), 6-2, 6-3
2. Gianluca Brunkow (UCSB) def. Andy Hernandez (UH), 6-2, 6-0
3. Lucca Liu (UCSB) def. Karl Collins (UH), 6-4, 6-4
4. Guillaume Tastevin (UH) def. Luka Mrsic (UCSB) 6-3, 6-7 (5-7), 1-0
5. Kai Brady (UCSB) def. Shot Urano (UH) 6-4, 6-2
6. Conrad Brown (UCSB) def. Blue Cockle (UH), 6-2, 6-1

Order of finish: 2, 5, 6, 1, 3, 4

Doubles competition
1. Collins/Hernandez (UH) vs. Masjuan/Brady (UCSB), 5-5, unfinished
2. Brunkow/Liu (UCSB) def. Snyder/Tattevin (UH), 6-3
3. Mrsic/Brown (UCSB) def. Urano/Somerville (UH), 6-2

Order of finish: 3, 2

UP NEXT
The Gauchos will return to action on Hawai'i on Thursday, April 11 as they host UC San Diego at 3 p.m. at Arnhold Tennis Center.