No. 16 Waves Beat SMU 6-1
2/26/2005 12:00:00 AM | Men's Tennis
Feb. 26, 2005
Dallas, Tex. - After taking the best team in the country down to the wire last night the No. 16 Pepperdine men's tennis team was back on the courts Saturday in Texas. The Waves (7-2) showed no signs of fatigue nor letdown as they secured the 6-1 victory over No. 38 Southern Methodist in Dallas.
Pepperdine clinched the doubles point with an 8-4 win from Ivor Lovrak and Jonas Berg and an 8-3 set from Richard Johnson and Kevin Borzenski before the rains hit the SMU courts.
With weather not cooperating, the teams took the singles indoors at a local country club. The Waves ignored the change in atmosphere and continued with their winning ways posting five singles victories. Atop the Pepperdine lineup was No. 43 Scott Doerner who took a convincing 6-0, 6-3 decision from Gwinyai Chingoka. No. 24 Perdo Rico also bounced back from last night's loss with a 6-1, 6-2 statement on court two.
Jonas Berg and Ivor Lovrak completed their Texas road trip undefeated in singles as well as doubles. Berg won Saturday 7-6, 6-2, while Lovrak took a three-set win (6-4, 2-6, 6-4) at number five. Alexis Rafidison went the distance with another three-set match, this time winning 4-6, 7-5, 7-6.
Head coach Adam Steinberg said the match was much closer than the 6-1 score indicated and that SMU provided his Waves with a very tough match. But he admits, last night's performance, despite the loss, has boosted the Waves' moral. "The guys played well today, it was really good to see. They played with an air of confidence about them, hopefully it carries through the rest of the year."
Pepperdine will again get to test its new demeanor following spring break. The Waves return with three matches on March 8, 11 and 12. Pepperdine will play host to the College of William and Mary before heading up to Berkeley to face No. 30 Cal and No. 13 Texas Christian University.
