Men’s Tennis Edges from Cal Poly through the end of the regular season

SAN LUIS OBISPO, Calif. – The University of Hawaii men’s tennis team (10-8, 3-3 Big West) defeated Cal Poly (6-10, 1-3 BW), 4-3. their final regular season game in 2023. In true teamwork, Hawai’i battled back from 0-2 to win. When the match was tied 3-3,Axel Labruniepulled away to clinch the game and give the Rainbow Warriors their second consecutive season with double-digit wins for the first time since 2009 and ’10.

The Mustangs took an early 1-0 lead after capturing the doubleheader with wins on the first and second courts.

But in singles play, the Rainbow Warriors fought back. Although the Mustangs went up 2-0 when Joe Leather beat UH Empty Vlkovsky, 6-2, 6-2 on court No. 2, UH then reeled off three straight wins to take a 3-2 lead. At Hawaii Court No. 5 Kilian Maitreheld on to Bastia in the Westrateending semis, where Maitre nearly threw a shutout, 6-3, 7-6 (1). At No. 1, it was a battle between two ranked players – Hawaii’s No. 91 Andre Ilaganand Cal Poly’s No. 92 Noah Berry. Berry dominated the first set and led 3-0 in the second before Ilaganwo’s six straight games took the second set and forced a third set. With the win, Ilagan tied the match at 2-2. UH No. 6 by Karl Collins a straight sets, 7-6 (4), 6-3 win over Zachary Pellouchoud gave UH a 3-2 lead. But Cal Poly rallied as No. 4 Colter Smith tied things 3-3 to defeat UH by Guillaume Tattev7-6 (3), 6-3

The match depended on the results on the 3rd court. Axel Labruinie won his first set over Fonseca, but then dropped the second. Labruinie then pulled away in the third set to win 6-2, 4-6, 6-4.

Under the leadership of head coach Joël Kusnierz, the Rainbow Warriors now have four straight winning seasons. It’s the winningest season in a row since UH won 12 straight from 1981-1992.

The Rainbow Warriors will look to carry the momentum from this win into the Big West tournament, which begins Friday, April 28 at the Barnes Tennis Center in San Diego, California. Currently, Hawai’i is in fourth place at 3-3 in the conference. record.

Hawaii 4, Cal Poly 3

4/16/2023 in San Luis Obispo, California
(Mustang Tennis Complex)

Singles competition

1. #91 Andre Ilagan (UH) def. #92 Noah Berry (CP) 1-6, 6-3, 6-3
2. Joe Leather (CP) def. Empty Vlkovsky (UH) 6-2, 6-2
3. Axel Labrunie (UH) def. Fernando Fonseca (CP) 6-2, 4-6, 6-1
4. Colter Smith (CP) def. by Guillaume Tattev (UH) 7-6 (7-3), 6-3
5. Kilian Maitre (UH) def. Bastiaan Weststrate (CP) 6-3, 7-6 (7-1)
6. Karl Collins(UH) def. Zachary Pellouchoud (CP) 7-6 (7-4), 6-3

Singles competition

1. Noah Berry/Fernando Fonseca (CP) def. Lucas Labrunie/Andre Ilagan (UH) 6-0
2. Colter Smith/Bastian Weststrate (CP) def. Axel Labrunie/Kilian Maitre (UH) 6-4
3. Ben Keyser/Joe Leather (CP) vs. Karl Collins/Empty Vlkovsky (UH) 5-5, incomplete

Match Notes:

Ranking order: Doubles (1,2); Singles (2,5,1,6,4,3)

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