SPOKANE, Wash. - After losing the doubles point to start the match, the Gonzaga University men's tennis team's upperclassmen led the way to bounce back in singles and defeat Saint Mary's College 4-3 in a West Coast Conference match Friday at the Spokane Racquet Club.
In addition to the team extending their win streak to four matches, several Bulldogs (8-6, 1-1 WCC) also extended their individual streaks as well. Scott Sullivan stretched his win streak in singles to five matches with a 6-2, 6-4 win over Samuel Bloore at the No. 6 spot. The senior also reached the 20-win mark for the first time in his career. Olivier Jamin also extended his win streak in singles to five with a 3-6, 6-2, 6-1 victory against Sherif Hamdy on court three.
The Gaels (4-10, 0-2 WCC) took a 1-0 lead when they won two of the three doubles matches to clinch the lone point. Levin Guillermo tied the match with his 6-2, 6-3 win over Saad Benkirane at No. 2 singles. Less than two minutes later Zhia Hwa Chong gave the Bulldogs a 2-1 when he defeated Joakim Norstrom 7-5, 6-1 at No. 4 singles, his 18th win on the 2011-12 season.
Although the Gaels tied the match up at two points apiece with a win at No. 1 singles, Jamin would break the tie at No. 3 singles and Sullivan would lock up the win for the Bulldogs with his win at No. 6.
Head coach Peter MacDonald was proud of how his team stayed focused to pick up a key conference win.
"It's really exciting. I think we rebounded really well off a tough doubles loss. The upperclassmen stepped up for us and made it happen," MacDonald said.
The Bulldogs look to keep the momentum going when they host the University of San Diego Saturday at noon at the Spokane Racquet Club.
GONZAGA BULLDOGS 4, SAINT MARY'S GAELS 3
Singles competition
1. Maxime Olivan (SMC) def. NAZAL, Alvaro (GON) 6-3, 7-6
2. GUILLERMO, Levin (GON) def. Saad Benkirane (SMC) 6-2, 6-3
3. JAMIN, Olivier (GON) def. Sherif Hamdy (SMC) 3-6, 6-2, 6-1
4. CHONG, Zhia Hwa (GON) def. Joakim Norstrom (SMC) 7-5, 6-1
5. Seif El Sherbini (SMC) def. MIJATOVIC, Vladimir (GON) 6-4, 2-6, 6-4
6. SULLIVAN, Scott (GON) def. Samuel Bloore (SMC) 6-2, 6-4
Doubles competition
1. Joakim Norstrom/Steven Daws.-Roberts (SMC) def. CHONG, Zhia Hwa/SULLIVAN, Scott (GON) 7-4
2. Maxime Olivan/Saad Benkirane (SMC) def. JAMIN, Olivier/NAZAL, Alvaro (GON) 8-5
3. Gavin Leon/Samuel Bloore (SMC) def. GUILLERMO, Levin/DAVIS, Jake (GON) 8-1
Match Notes:
SAINT MARY'S GAELS 4-10, 0-2 WCC
GONZAGA BULLDOGS 8-6, 1-1 WCC
Order of finish: Doubles (); Singles (2,4,1,3,6,5)
No. 1 doubles was abandoned after doubles point was decided.
