Gonzaga University
No. 53 Pepperdine
Zags Fall in Rain-Delayed Match at Pepperdine
4/9/2016 12:00:00 AM | Men's Tennis
Senior Hayden Smith picked up Gonzaga's lone point on the day, posting a two-set win over Stefan Menichella at No. 3 singles. He was forced into an extra game in the first set, but he won that anyway at 7-5, and he downed Menichella by a break in the second at 6-4. It's his 11th overall win and fifth of the dual year.
Smith's contest was the third match to finish, pulling the Zags back to within one at 2-1. Pepperdine won the first two matches to finish when Jack Van Slyke beat Emilio Moreno despite Moreno winning six games total, four in the first set. The GU freshman fell 6-4, 6-2 on court four. Atop the singles lineup, Jordan Smith won four games in each set, but he fell to Guilherme Hadlich 6-4, 6-4 in the second that finished.
After Hayden's win, Pepperdine countered with win at No. 6 singles, where Ronzai Saurombe fell in straight sets to Tom Hill. At No. 2 singles, Ruadhan O'Sullivan went three sets with Lautaro Pane, doubling up the Wave in the first set at 3-6. Pane took the second frame 6-1 and the third 6-2 to clinch the dual win for Pepperdine.
Vicente Varas' No. 5 singles match was finished despite the win being guaranteed, allowing the senior to push Imachkine in the second set. He fell 6-1 in the first frame but fought back in the second, winning five games. His rally ended at 7-5, however, and gave Pepperdine its fifth and final point of the match.
The Zags (4-13, 1-6 WCC) now return to Spokane for their final home match and final conference match of the season. They'll face Saint Mary's on Friday, April 15 at The Stevens Center. That contest will begin at 2:00 p.m.
