SPOKANE, Wash. — Gonzaga men's tennis gave No. 27 San Diego a battle, but fell just short in a 4-2 loss on Saturday at the Stevens Center.
 
After USD (10-3, 2-0) took the doubles point, GU (8-3, 0-1) tied the score at 1-1 and 2-2 with singles wins, but the Toreros won the final two finished matches for the team victory.
 
"I thought we competed well today," head coach Jonas Piibor said. "We aren't where we need to be just yet, and we are really working on a lot of things right now. It's a tough loss at home, but I'm proud of the way the guys competed. We are looking forward to the matches ahead with these guys."
 
In doubles, Gonzaga's Sam Feit and Ruadhan O'Sullivan were in the lead on No. 1, but the Toreros had control of the matches on No. 2 and 3. USD finished a 6-3 win on No. 2, and a 6-2 win on No. 3 before the top court could finish.
 
GU came out firing in singles, taking the first set on four of the six courts. The charge was led by Sam Feit, who took a straight-set win on No. 2, 6-2, 7-6(2).
 
After San Diego earned a win on No. 1 to retake the lead at 2-1, GU countered with a victory by Vincent Rettke. On No. 4, Rettke won the final three points in a row to win 6-2, 6-4, and tie the team score at 2-2.
 
The Toreros, however, were able to slow down the Gonzaga momentum with a comeback win on No. 6 to make it 3-2, and then the clinching point on No. 3.
 
Emilio Moreno led his opponent by a set on No. 6, but the match went unfinished, 7-6(8), 2-4.
 
Gonzaga travels to Irving, California, next for a pair of matches beginning Monday with UC Irvine.