LA MIRADA, Calif. – Azusa Pacific held off Biola 4-3 on Monday afternoon, as Jesse Haas clinched the match for the Cougars with a 7-6 (7-3 tiebreak) victory in the third set in #4 singles.
 
The Cougars took an early 1-0 lead in the contest, winning two out of the three in doubles. They picked up wins from #2 doubles, with Jakob Schnaitter and Sam Sippel claiming a 6-3 victory, and Ryan Nuno and Ethan Smith securing a 6-4 win at #3 doubles.
 
Azusa Pacific opened up singles by increasing the match lead to 2-0, when Sippel made quick work of Logan Blair in #2 singles, winning 6-1, 6-1. Biola would post its first point of the match at #6 singles, with Quentin Lau winning 6-3, 6-3 over Smith. The Cougars would push their match lead up to 3-1 with a 6-4, 6-2 victory in #1 singles by Schnaitter.
 
The Eagles would fight back into the match, earning three-set wins in both #3 singles and #5 singles. With the contest tied at 3-3, all eyes turned to the dual between Haas and Edwyn Ramos. Haas took set one 6-4, but fell in the second 3-6, setting up a third and final set that would decide the match.  
 
What looked a quick finish with Haas up 4-1, turned out to be tested battle not only for Haas himself, but the Cougars. Haas had four match points, but was unable to capitalize as Ramos fought back each time and eventually forced the final set to a tie breaker. Both Haas and Ramos were able to break each other to start the tie break, before Haas took control of the match and took a commanding lead after the changeover, eventually winning the tiebreak 7-3. Haas not only clinched the match for the Cougars, but he also delivered five points for Azusa Pacific in the 2019-20 Cornerstone Cup.
 
Azusa Pacific is now 4-1 on the season, and the Cougars next match is at home on Friday, February 14 at 2:30 pm, against San Diego Christian.