Lopes head to Cal Poly for 2 matches


Grand Canyon Lopes (1-9)	vs	Cal Poly Mustangs (4-7)	Gonzaga Bulldogs (7-2)
		Friday, March 12 1 p.m.	Saturday, March 13 12 p.m.

The Grand Canyon men's tennis team will embark on the final nonconferene roadtrip facing Cal Poly and Gonzaga before the start of Western Athletic Conference play in two weeks. The Lopes lost their match at home against Utah State in a close 4-3 score.

THREE THINGS TO KNOW

MARATHON MATCH: The Lopes and Utah State were locked in a nearly four and a half hour match that saw the Aggies win the final two singles matches to steal the win from GCU. Senior Valentin Lang had a chance to clinch the match up 5-4 in his second set but he lost the set and was forced to a third where the senior lost 7-6.
FIRST TIME WINNER: Despite the team loss to Utah State freshman Jonathan Da Silva impressed with his first singles win of the season at No. 5. Da Silva won his first set 6-2 and after dropping his second set 2-6 the freshman recovered well and finished out the match with a 6-2 third set win.
WEEK OFF AHEAD: After the Lopes wrap up the road matches this week the team will enjoy a week off before a busy end to March. The Lopes will host Idaho State on March 23 ahead of hosting New Mexico State and Chicago State on March 26 and 28 in the first WAC pod of the season.

SCOUTING

Cal Poly started last season 2-2 and have won one of their past one of their past six games sitting at 4-7 entering this weekend. Most recently the Mustangs lost a pair of matches against nationally ranked Oregon and Portland State up in Eugene, Ore.

Alex Stater has been the leader for Cal Poly in singles sitting at a 7-3 record which is three more wins then the next closest teammate. In doubles the Mustangs have struggled with three seperate pair tied for the team lead with two wins.

Gonzaga has been hot this season sitting at 7-3 after starting the season 5-0. The Zags recently beat Idaho State 7-0 whom the Lopes will face on March 23. After the weeekend in San Luis Obispo Gonzaga will host their next seven matches at home.

Sasha Trkulja has been the top dog for the Zags boasting an 8-0 record in singles at the No. 2 and No. 3 positions. Teammate Oliver Andersson sits a 7-1 while Pablo Gomez Galvan is also undefeated at 6-0. Doubles has also been a source of success for Gonzaga with Trkulja and partner Leon Roider locking down the No. 2 position with a 5-0 record.

WHAT'S NEXT

GCU host Idaho State at the GCU Tennis Facility on March 23 at 11 a.m.

THREE THINGS TO KNOW

SCOUTING

WHAT'S NEXT

Next Event

Players Mentioned

Jonathan Da Silva

Valentin Lang

Grand Canyon University Athletics