The Grand Canyon University tennis teams fell today, losing to Azusa Pacific at the Munson and Bavougian Tennis Complex in Azusa, Calif.
The loss drops the women, ranked No. 14 in D-II and No. 3 in the West Region, to 6-2 overall. The men, ranked No. 21 nationally and No. 1 in the West Region, fell to 7-2.
Azusa Pacific, a member of the NAIA, is currently ranked No. 7 on the men’s side and No. 9 for the women.
“We dropped two very close matches today,” said head coach Greg Prudhomme. “I was proud of the way the girls competed and the way they hung in there today. It was surprising that we could drop all three doubles and still find ourselves in with a chance to pull this one out. I have to give credit to Azusa. They played some nice matches today. This was tough for the girls, but this will help them moving forward when we face some critical matches down the stretch.”
Priscilla Annoual won in straight sets at No. 1 singles for the Antelopes.
Justine Majan, playing at No. 3 singles, won a three-set match by a score of 6-2, 6-7 (1), 6-1.
Frederique Van de Velde won at No. 4 singles for GCU’s other point.
“The men played great in doubles today,” said Prudhomme. “APU has some very good players. We were hurt by not having
Ahmad Saleem available. I would like to think with our full squad that we could have won this one today. For us to lose at 1, 2, 3 singles is surprising. But both the men and the women went late last night in their wins over Point Loma and that could have been a factor. Like the women, this will help us moving forward as we fight for the top-two spots in the west.”
Peter Kazianschuetz led the men today, picking up two wins. He won 6-2, 6-4 in the No. 4 singles round and paired with
Patrice Giraldi to win at No. 2 doubles, 9-7.
Bastien Tonus ran his singles win streak to seven, winning in straight sets in the No. 5 singles slot.
The women will return to the courts when they host the University of Mary on March 1 at the Paseo Racquet Center in Glendale, Ariz. First serve is scheduled for 1 p.m. The men and women will both be in action on March 6 when they host St. Cloud State.
APU 6 GCU 3 (women)
APU 5 GCU 4 (men)