GCU wins first WAC match of the season

Thursday, March 24

Las Cruces, N.M.

8:30 a.m.

Grand Canyon

UTRGV

Photo by: Darryl Webb

3/24/2016 4:38:00 PM | Men's Tennis

By: Samantha Fell

LAS CRUCES, N.M. – The GCU men's tennis team began the WAC season with a conference win over UTRGV on Thursday morning. The Lopes won 6-1 after clinching the doubles point and then taking five of the six singles matchups. Grand Canyon improves to 9-6 overall this season.

"The guys got revenge from last year," head coach Greg Prudhomme began. "They were really hungry and poised after dropping the match against this team late last year. The guys didn't forget it and all the hard work and improvements they've been making showed today."

Adrian Legarreta and Gregoire Balenci won the first match of the day at No. 3 doubles, defeating the opposing UTRGV pair 6-4. GCU dropped the set at No. 2 doubles, but was able to clinch the first point of the match behind the strong play of Alexander Roggenkamp and Felix Schueller. The pair went to a tiebreaker to win 7-6 (6) on Court 1.

"The guys were really pumped about getting that point on the board and were able to roll through straight sets victories on courts 2-6," Prudhomme stated. "The team that we played is better than the scores showed. Our guys were just really ready for it and performed to their potential."

Schueller kept the momentum from his doubles win and made quick work at No. 2 singles, sweeping his opponent 6-0, 6-2. Roggenkamp also won at No. 3 after battling to a 7-5, 6-4 decision. Mathieu Rajaonah continued his impressive play this season by winning 6-4, 6-2 at No. 4 singles. Rajaonah is now 9-2 overall this season in singles play. Meidy Chazeau and Justin Cvitanovic also picked up wins for GCU.

The Lopes will continue WAC play this weekend as they face off with Chicago State at 12:30 p.m. on Friday, March 25 and New Mexico State at 9 a.m. on Saturday, March 26.

Singles
1. Juan Cruz Soria (UTRGV) def. Mitch Maroscher (GCU) 4-6, 6-3, 10-4
2. Felix Schueller (GCU) def. Ethan Ammon (UTRGV) 6-0, 6-2
3. Alexander Roggenkamp (GCU) def. Koby Jansen (UTRGV) 7-5, 6-4
4. Mathieu Rajaonah (GCU) Yehonatan Kaufman (UTRGV) 6-4, 6-2
5. Meidy Chazeau (GCU) def. Elliot Johnstone (UTRGV) 6-3, 7-6 (3)
6. Justin Cvitanovic (GCU) def. Cosme Jubera (UTRGV) 6-3, 6-3

Doubles
1. Felix Schueller/Alexander Roggenkamp (GCU) def. Juan Cruz Soria/Koby Jansen (UTRGV) 7-6 (6)
2. Andres Hernandez/Elliot Johnstone (UTRGV) def. Mitch Maroscher/Meidy Chazeau (GCU) 6-3
3. Adrian Legarreta/Gregoire Balenci (GCU) def. Yehonatan Kaufman/Ethan Ammon (UTRGV) 6-4