Men's Tennis Upends UC Santa Barbara, 6-1
1/21/2004 12:00:00 AM | Men's Tennis
Jan. 21, 2004
MALIBU, CALIF. - The 27th-ranked Pepperdine University men's tennis team opened its 2004 season today and overpowered No. 64 UC Santa Barbara, 6-1, at the Ralphs-Straus Tennis Center. The win improves the Waves to 1-0 on the season as they head into their second match on Friday against cross-town rival, UC Irvine.
"We didn't play our best tennis today, but we found a way to win," Pepperdine head coach Adam Steinberg said. "I thought our attitude was great and I was pleased with the overall effort our team set forth."
The Waves won five dual matches in singles, starting with senior Calle Hansen who led the way at the No. 1 spot for Pepperdine. Hansen thumped the Gaunchos' Alex Anselme, 6-3, 7-5. Sophomore Pedro Rico ran away with an easy 6-3, 6-1 decision over Nicholas Brotman at the No. 2 singles. Pepperdine's No. 1 tandem was able to seal the point after Hansen and Rico won at the No. 1 spot, 8-4, over Anselme and Mike Placek.
One veteran and two newcomers gave the Waves points in the middle of the lineup as Alexis Rafidison, Alexandre Herrera, and Richard Johnson were victorious. All three won in straight sets as junior Rafidison defeated Placek (6-3, 7-5), newcomer Alexandre Herrera dropped Edlefsen (7-6, 6-2) and freshman Richard Johnson upended Matt Coin (6-3, 6-4), respectively.
"I thought Alexis had a great day playing at the No. 3 spot," commented Steinberg. "He has been practicing hard and it really showed out there. I felt both our newcomers seemed to have the first match jiggles, which is expected. It effected their movement but eventually they settled down...I expect big things from all three of them this season."
In doubles, the duo of Scott Doerner and Herrera clinched the point with an 8-6 decision at the No. 2 position over Brotman and Edlefsen. The No. 3 pair of Johnson and Rafidison was able to seal the point with a hard-fought 9-8 victory over Stern and Michael Frick.
"Against Irvine our team must be aggressive and attack more," said Steinberg. "Irvine is a tougher team and it should be a good test for both schools."
The Waves will host the Anteaters at 1:30 p.m. on Friday following the Pepperdine women's 11:30 a.m. match versus UC Santa Barbara.
Pepperdine 6, UC Santa Barbara 1
Singles:
1. Hansen (PEP) def. Anselme (UCSB), 6-3, 7-5
2. Rico (PEP) def. Brotman (UCSB), 6-3, 6-1
3. Rafidison (PEP) def. Placek (UCSB), 6-3, 7-5
4. Stern (UCSB) def. Doerner (PEP), 6-4, 1-6, 6-2
5. Herrera (PEP) def. Edlefsen (UCSB), 7-6, 6-2
6. Johnson (PEP) def. Coin (UCSB), 6-3, 6-4
Doubles:
1. Hansen/Rico (PEP) def. Anselme/Placek (UCSB), 8-4
2. Doerner/Herrera (PEP) def. Brotman/Edlefsen (UCSB), 8-6
3. Johnson/Rafidison (PEP) def. Stern/Frick (UCSB), 9-8
