AZUSA, Calif. -- Senior Jan Meyer improved his career-best singles winning streak to 22 matches with a 7-5, 6-2 victory over the No. 16 player in the nation Andre Staab, guiding the 11th-ranked Cougars to a 7-2 victory over No. 26 Point Loma on Saturday afternoon at the Cougar Tennis Complex.
Match Results
"Since I got the No. 1 singles ranking in the nation, it's been challenging to defend it," said Meyer, who has won 12 of his matches during the streak as the No. 1 in the nation. "I do the best I can to just go match by match and try to get the win for the team."
The Cougars were ranked second in the West Region before the season just ahead of their PacWest opponent Point Loma, which is ranked No. 5.
After dropping his first set this season in doubles, Meyer, the No. 1 singles player in the nation trailed early in his singles match, 2-5. However, the German got the break back and went on to win five games in a row to take the first set, before cruising to victory in the second set, clinching the team win.
"I was telling myself that it was only one break and then I got a quick hold at 3-5 which helped a lot," Meyer said. "My teammates were at my court throughout the first set and their support was huge, so I just told myself that I had to find a way to win the first set. Andre was serving well, but I found a way to break him to get back on serve and that helped me for the rest of the match.
"I appreciate the challenge of playing Andre. This is a guy who believes that he can beat me, and he can. Every time we play it is getting closer and tougher to win. He knows my game and knows my weaknesses, so I really enjoy the rivalry that we have."
Despite the loss at No. 1 doubles, the Cougars took a 2-1 lead going into singles action with an 8-2 win for Pascal Engel and Marnix Pluim at No. 2 doubles followed by another 8-2 win by Shepherd Newcomb and Olger van Gent at No. 3 doubles.
Christian Schmid extended the lead to 3-1 with a convincing 6-4, 6-0 win at No. 2 singles against Martin Blaho, who is ranked No. 10 in the West Region. Meanwhile, Alan Leahy, who is ranked No. 17 in the region, upset No. 14 Daniel Milliken 6-1, 6-4 to put the Cougars a point away from victory.
After Meyer sealed the win, Van Gent added another point for the Cougars with a 6-2, 6-1 at No. 5 singles. The Sea Lions won the final two singles matches to make the final score 6-3.
The Cougars play at home again on Wednesday against San Diego Christian, which is ranked No. 6 in the nation for the NAIA.
