GCU defeats UC Irvine for the first time in team history

Saturday, February 4

Irvine, CA

9 AM

Grand Canyon

UC Irvine

GCU defeats UC Irvine for the first time in team history

2/4/2017 5:13:00 PM | Men's Tennis

By: Samantha Fell

IRVINE, Calif. – For the first time in team history, the GCU men's tennis program defeated UC Irvine on Saturday afternoon. The Lopes clinched the match in singles play by a score of 4-1 and have now won four straight contests. Grand Canyon has a record of 4-2 for the spring season.

"The guys put up one of their best performances, if not the best performance, of the year so far," head coach Greg Prudhomme praised. "For the first time in our program's history, we beat UC Irvine. It's a great step in the right direction that we've started many years ago in raising the level of our program and being able to beat stronger teams. Anytime we can get a win against a UC team in the sport of college tennis, it's a meaningful win."

Due to the threat of inclement weather, singles play was held first during the match. The Lopes earned their first team point when freshman Francois Musitelli quickly defeated Sebastian Heim of UC Irvine in the first singles position. Musitelli won by scores of 6-1 and 6-2 to seal the victory.

"We had great team chemistry and showed good mental toughness," Prudhomme noted. "We're definitely happy about this performance. Francois really stepped up in his new number one position that he started on the last road trip. He continued his strong play. We had another great performance by a freshman, Lorenzo Fucile, at position four."

Justin Cvitanovic and Fucile earned the next points for the Lopes with wins on courts five and four. Cvitanovic nearly swept Bruce Man-Son-Hing of UC Irvine by scores of 6-0, 6-1 and Fucile outlasted Vatsal Bajpai, winning 6-4, 6-3. Gregoire Balenci clinched the team victory by GCU as he defeated Anil Patel 6-1, 6-3 in the sixth position. Balenci's victory earned the fourth team point for the Lopes and sealed the victory.

"Our new guys are blending in great with the returners and their experience," Prudhomme added. "They are playing well so we'll definitely use this to improve our self-belief up another notch. We'll keep fighting hard and continue to achieve new milestones as we go forward."

Grand Canyon 4, UC Irvine 1

Singles competition
1. Francois Musitelli (GCU) def. Sebastian Heim (UCI-M) 6-1, 6-2
2. Luca Marquard (UCI-M) def. Adrian Legarreta (GCU) 6-2, 6-0
3. Luis Lopez (UCI-M) vs. Mathieu Rajaonah (GCU) 6-3, 2-6, 4-3, unfinished
4. Lorenzo Fucile (GCU) def. Vatsal Bajpai (UCI-M) 6-4, 6-3
5. Justin Cvitanovic (GCU) def. Bruce Man-Son-Hing (UCI-M) 6-0, 6-1
6. Gregoire Balenci (GCU) def. Anil Patel (UCI-M) 6-1, 6-3

Match Notes:
Grand Canyon 4-2
UC Irvine 0-3
Order of finish: Doubles (); Singles (1,5,4,2,6)
T-2:02