When comparing the rosters of Pacific and UC Davis side by side, it quickly becomes evident that the two teams don’t have a whole lot in common geographically.
The Tigers No. 1 through 5 seeds are all foreign-born, tough competitors: Moritz Starke (Germany), Artem Gramma (Ukraine), Vegerd Veskimagi (Estonia), Karl-Erik Paaro (Estonia) and Christian Kuehne (Germany).
On the other side, there’s only one player on the UC Davis roster from outside California.
As 1 p.m. on Sunday rolled around at the Marya Welch Tennis Center, the international Tigers made quick work of the Aggies, 6-1.
“Obviously, they’re very strong,” coach Daryl Lee said, “but we have everything to gain from playing such tough competitors – it was a great opportunity.“
Pacific swept UC Davis in doubles play 8-2, 8-5, 8-4 to claim the early 1-0 advantage.
The Aggies then looked to respond in singles play, pushing three of the five matches to three sets.
At No. 3, UC Davis junior Hunter Lee matched up with Veskimagi. Lee fell behind in the first set, losing 3-6, but responded with a pair of come-from-behind victories, 6-4, 6-3, to earn the sole point for the Aggies on the afternoon.
Lee, a junior from Bermuda Dunes, Calif., has battled to a 6-11 record overall. Lee’s twin brother, Tyler, started for UC Davis in the No. 4 singles slot.
The win was Pacific’s first this season (1-1), while the Aggies fall to 1-3.
UC Davis will return to the Marya Welch Tennis Center on Saturday to square off against another Big West foe in UC Santa Barbara.
MATT MILLER can be reached at sports@theaggie.org.
