The UC Davis men’s tennis team started strong but could not keep up the pace.
The Aggies’ triple-match weekend started with a sweep over Portland State.
However, after a promising start, UC Davis (9-12, 1-4) was then edged by Nevada (5-13) and Big West Conference foe UC Irvine (10-12, 3-1).
Friday – UC Davis 7, Portland State 0
History does repeat itself, and the Aggies proved it Friday.
UC Davis defeated Portland State by the same score as their previous meeting on Feb. 2 in Portland, Ore., 7-0.
Although the Aggies swept the Vikings, match play was closer than the final scores appear.
“They made us earn it, and we definitely did that,” senior Henri Landes said.
The Aggies began the afternoon at the Marya Welch Tennis Center by sweeping the Vikings in doubles to earn a 1-0 lead.
Domination in doubles was followed by a superior singles display, as UC Davis took all six singles matches, dropping a total of only two sets.
Saturday – Nevada 4, UC Davis 3
The school from the “Biggest Little City in the World” gave the Aggies more than a “little” competition Saturday afternoon.
After losing the doubles point, Nevada captured the top four singles spots to earn a 4-3 victory at Galena High School in Reno, Nev.
“I was proud of the way our guys battle back from that tough doubles loss,” Wolf Pack head coach Chad Stoloff said.
UC Davis earned the doubles point after sophomores Nic Amaroli and Kevin Liang outlasted Daruty and Kristian Kuharszky at No. 2, 9-8 (2).
Senior No. 5 Daniel Elefant and sophomore No. 6 Tyler Lee claimed the only Aggie singles victories of the day.
Despite having already suffered a team loss, Lee earned the close 7-6(2), 7-6(8) victory over Guerin Smith, giving the Aggies their third and final point.
It was the second straight win over a Big West opponent for Nevada, which had defeated UC Riverside on Feb. 2, 6-1.
Sunday – No. 70 UC Irvine 5, UC Davis 2
Problems at home are never good.
For the first time in six home matches, the Aggies finally had some.
“There was a bit of physical fatigue,” Landes said. “But I am proud to say that we did not suffer from mental fatigue.”
Playing in its third match in as many days, UC Davis lost four of five three-set singles matches in a 5-2 conference loss to UC Irvine on Sunday at the Marya Welch Tennis Center.
Of the five three-set singles marathons, Lee was the lone victor for the Aggies, defeating Ryan Mayer 2-6, 6-3, 7-6(3).
The other point for UC Davis was earned at No. 5 singles, as freshman Nick Lopez posted a one-sided 6-1, 6-2 win over sophomore Zac Tsai.
The loss ended the Aggies’ five-home match winning streak. They’ll look to return to winning form when they host UC San Diego on Friday at 2 p.m.
NIRVAIR KELLEY can be reached at sports@californiaaggie.com.
