SANTA CLARA, Calif. – Despite their strong efforts, the Bronco men's tennis team came up just short against University of the Pacific on Saturday. Santa Clara fell 4-3, with the difference coming at No. 1 doubles where the Tigers edged SCU 10-8 in a competitive tiebreaker. The loss snapped the Broncos undefeated streak at home – they are now 7-1 at the Degheri Tennis Center -- and their record dropped to 10-5 overall.
The Broncos will look to rebound Sunday at 11 am as they host the Northern Arizona Lumberjacks. NAU is 2-10 on the season and the Lumberjacks have lost six matches in a row.
In doubles, Santa Clara put up an excellent fight but ultimately couldn't convert. The No. 2 doubles pairing of Ilya Osintsev, who missed last Wednesday's match vs. Furman due to illness, and Ashot Khacharyan made quick work of their Pacific opponents, 8-3. It was the first time the duo had appeared in a match together, and Osintsev hung tough despite lingering sickness.
With Pacific winning No. 3 doubles, the match came down to the top doubles pairs. John Lamble and Tom Pham forced a tiebreaker, and then fought valiantly to set up match point after falling behind 5-1. Pacific came up with some big shots when it mattered most, however, prevailing 10-8 in a very tight contest that could have gone either way.
In singles, No. 66 Lamble triumphed 6-1, 6-3 for his seventh consecutive win (14-9 overall). Since a brutal five-match stretch against top 50 opponents where he went 1-4, Lamble has been on a tear and has not dropped a match in exactly one month.
Khacharyan continued his outstanding run with a 6-0, 7-5 win at No. 3. The freshman from Russia is 11-2 and has won nine of his past ten matches. Pham recorded a 6-1, 7-5 final for his team-leading 16th win of the season (16-6 overall).
Pacific closed the door with wins at No. 2, No. 5 and No. 6 singles for its third consecutive victory.
