After our Saturday afternoon upset over Pomona we had to get up early and into the van at 7:30am, head to the Santa Cruz courts and take on Cal Lutheran. Cal Lu has had an unbelievable year ..they are currently undefeated and defeated a number of top ranked teams this season, including just knocking off #1 ranked UCSC on their home courts.
We were hoping the Kingsmen would have a small let down after beating UCSC and we could jump out quick in doubles. This, however, wasn't the case: CLU played very solid doubles and we started off tired and flat. Didn't take long for CLU to go up early in the all doubles and sweep us.
We did have more energy in singles. The match score doesn't show how close or intense the singles were. We ended up losing three of the singles matches in three sets (#3 ET, #4 Chris and #6 Conor). Also Matt played the best player in the nation (CLU #1 player has only dropped 1 set this year) extremely close losing 6-4, 7-6.
Because of the length of the CLU match we ate sandwiches at the courts took a 45 minute break and started up against UC Santa Cruz. Six weeks ago we played the Slugs in Walla Walla and they won 8-1 (our only win at #3 doubles). Plus the Pomona match and CLU matches (7 three setters) were wearing on the team. Against UCSC we didn't have the services of Etienne (the lion of our team) and still missing Christoph in the singles line-up.
Without ET, Matt and Jeffrey paired up at #1 doubles. They ran into a wasp nests at #1 doubles. The UCSC #1 team is one of the top teams in the nation and they were still stinging from their loss against CLU. The UCSC played very good doubles..serving well, nailing returns and closing hard on the net. Was simply too much for Jeffrey and Matt.
I felt that we played well at #2 doubles and had numerous chances to go up breaks. In fact I think we failed to convert on at least 6 break points. The match came down to one break where Quin and Christoph played a sloppy game.
At #3 we tried a new combo of Conor and Nadeem. I was hoping this combo would give us some spark. Nadeem has been injured most of the season and was chomping at the bit to get into the line-up. Plus Conor has been playing some amazing tennis this trip. Not only does he love to play but he is competing incredibly well -- no matter the situation he has been full of positive energy. The energy that Nadeem and Conor brought to the doubles court was great and they ended up winning 8-6.
Match of the trip (so far) was #1 singles. Six weeks ago Matt lost to the Cruz #1 player 6-4, 6-1 on our home courts. On Sunday Matt played his best tennis of the year winning 4-6, 6-1, 7-6 (6). What an incredible effort from Matt over the weekend. On Saturday he nearly knocked off the #5 player in the region before losing 6-3 in the 3rd. Against CLU (#2 in region) he comes close before losing 6-4, 7-6 and that same day defeats the #3 player in the region 7-6 in the third! Talk about an amazing 24-hour effort! Also I should point out that earlier in the trip Matt defeated the #8 (Linfield) and #10 (PLU) players in the region (Matt was #11).
Our other win on the day was our three-set man Conor. I'm beginning to wonder if Conor is just going three sets so he gets to play more tennis. Over the weekend he clinched our win against Pomona 6-3 in the 3rd, lost in three sets to CLU, and then turns around to beat one of the best #5 players in the nation 7-5 in the 3rd! I swear the guy never gets tired on the court. I really feel that Conor has found his game and attitude this trip. He has earned the respect and admiration of his coach, teammates and opponents.
Unbelievable team-effort from the Fighting Squirrels.
We are currently in Redlands getting ready for the last match of our trip -- 2pm against #18 Redlands (we are #26). I'll try to provide Twitter updates during the match.
Big thanks to the Solomon family and Sadeghi families for providing housing and incredibly meals during the trip! It has been great having so much support and love while on the road.
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