Top 5 courts lead Lopes to WAC win

Sunday, April 7

Phoenix, Ariz.

11 a.m.

Grand Canyon

Abilene Christian

Photo by: Rachel Sollazzo

4/7/2024 6:46:00 PM | Men's Tennis

Box Score

GCU has won 4 of last 5 matches, moves to 2-1 in conference play

By: Braden Dohrmann

The Grand Canyon men's tennis team relied on Courts 1-5 in singles play after dropping the doubles point to take a 5-2 home win over Abilene Christian on Sunday.

The Lopes now sit at 2-1 in WAC play with one conference match remaining before the WAC Tournament takes place April 18-20 in Harlingen, Texas.

GCU (7-12, 2-1 WAC) dropped the doubles point after falling 6-2 on Courts 1 and 3 at GCU Tennis Facility, but the tides quickly turned in the Lopes' favor with two immediate straight-set singles victories for graduate Gerhard Sullwald (6-2, 6-2) on Court 1 and sophomore Alfred Almasi (6-1, 6-1) on Court 4.

The Lopes had their five-match streak of winning the doubles point snapped but got the necessary response in singles play to recover.

GCU sophomore David Wekesa was not far behind with a 6-4, 6-3 victory and graduate Pablo Carretero Salvador was the eventual match clincher in the No. 2 spot. Things did not come as easy for Carretero Salvador, as he won the second set 7-5.

Wekesa extended his winning streak to seven matches on Court 3, improving to 11-4 in singles play and 10-2 on the third court.

Despite a losing record, the Lopes have proven they are still a major threat in the WAC. GCU just trails UT Arlington (8-7, 2-0 WAC) in the standings with one match to go.

The Lopes will take on Seattle U (3-12, 1-1 WAC) for a match that should decide the No. 2 seed in the WAC Tournament. The Lopes and Redhawks will meet at 11 a.m. (Phoenix time) on Friday at GCU Tennis Facility. The match will be Senior Day, when Sullwald, Salvador and Wyatt Anderson will be honored.