AZUSA, Calif. – Though they aren't coming necessarily easy, the Azusa Pacific men's tennis squad at times makes it look that way. For the 17th straight time, the Cougars won.
On a brisk and overcast Saturday afternoon, Azusa Pacific knocked off NCAA Division three's No. 4 team, Middlebury, 7-2 to remain perfect.
DOUBLES: Late drama was key in two of the matches while early breaks of serve in another decided the outcomes.
The first match off the courts came at the No. 1 spot. Down 5-4, the combo of Oliver Frank and Christian Schmid won their 13th straight match with a hold of serve and break to go ahead 6-5. Frank served the contest out at love for the 8-6 victory.
In the second slot, early breaks by Antonio Pejic and Jakob Schnaitter were vital in their 8-4 win. At the third spot Middlebury's duo of Nate Eazor and Andre Xaio were down 4-3 but won four of the final five games to clinch the match 8-5.
SINGLES: The top four slots were won by the Cougars with each player showing a lot of moxie and guile in his own way.
The first contest complete happened seemingly in the blink of an eye as Ronald Kang posted a breadstick and bagel win (6-1, 6-0) at the No. 4 slot. Quick thereafter, Schnaitter notched a double breadstick win at the third spot.
After winning the first set in convincing style at the No. 2 singles spot, Schmid had to fight in the second stanza. He remained undefeated with a 6-0, 6-4 victory. The team match was clinched after the match's conclusion.
At the No. 1 slot a pair of nationally ranked players slugged out baseline shots. Frank continued his undefeated run in dual matches with a 6-1, 7-6 (7) win. The second set was a thriller. The second set finished with five straight breaks of serve before the tiebreaker. In the tiebreaker, Frank saved four set points before claiming the contest on his first match point.
Middlebury won its only singles match as Eazor posted a pair of tiebreaker, 7-6 (5), 7-6 (5), wins at the No. 5 position. Azusa Pacific concluded the match with a comeback win by Pejic. After dropping the first set, he rallied to notch a 2-6, 6-0, 6-4 triumph.
UP NEXT: The Cougars host No. 5 Hawai'i Hilo in a critical region and PacWest contest on Tuesday at 1:30 p.m.
