San Diego State University’s Independent Student Newspaper Since 1913

The Daily Aztec

San Diego State University’s Independent Student Newspaper Since 1913

The Daily Aztec




San Diego State University’s Independent Student Newspaper Since 1913

The Daily Aztec

MEN’S TENNIS: Stellar doubles play not enough against ‘Zona

David J. Olender / Assistant Photo Editor

In a match that was as blistering as the afternoon sun, the San Diego State men’s tennis team could not protect its home court against No. 34 Arizona.

With the temperature in the upper-70s, SDSU (2-8) lost 5-2 to the Wildcats (9-4) Monday afternoon at the Aztec Tennis Center.

The match started out with the Aztecs’ team strength: doubles play.

The team of senior Achim Ceban and junior Giovanni Vaglietti kicked off the match on the right foot, beating No. 51 Geoff Embry and Ravid Hazi of Arizona. The SDSU tandem of senior Juan Gomez and sophomore Luis Rattenhuber finished next, winning the match 8-5. Juniors Andre Feliz and Tim Schulz van Endert won the final doubles match, enabling the Aztecs to sweep doubles play and take the 1-0 lead.

“We’re a good doubles team,” Schulz van Endert said. “We can win all the way down the line, from (No. 1 doubles to No. 3 doubles). It’s always been our strength and it’s what we usually build upon.”

But that was not the case on Monday.

Although three singles matches came down to the third and final set, the Wildcats took five out of six matches to claim the 5-2 victory.

Feliz had the lone singles point, beating Borja Malo of Arizona in straight sets, 6-3, 6-2.
SDSU was fresh off an upset against No. 66 Boise State on Saturday and were denied the chance to win back-to-back matches for the first time this season.

Arizona was the Aztecs’ seventh nationally ranked opponent in 10 matches this season, and SDSU faces what some believe to be one of the toughest schedules in the country.
“We don’t really get any (easy) teams,” Schulz van Endert said. “Last year we had unranked teams in between and we were able to win easily and boost our confidence.”

But now we’re playing all these tough teams and it can go either way … the matches are all close … There’s just a small, tiny thing missing. I don’t know if it’s confidence or (something else).”

The Aztecs may get a chance for revenge when they travel to Montgomery, Ala. for the Blue Gray National Invitational March 18 through 21. Along with Arizona and SDSU, the prestigious tournament features teams such as No. 15 Texas Tech and No. 20 Oklahoma.

The Aztecs will face top-notch competition in Montgomery. According to the tournament’s Web site, www.bluegraytennis.com, “About half (of the 160 players participating) will one day play on one of several professional circuits.”

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San Diego State University’s Independent Student Newspaper Since 1913
MEN’S TENNIS: Stellar doubles play not enough against ‘Zona