MALIBU, Calif. – The Pepperdine men's tennis match welcomed back a Legend on Sunday to Ralphs-Straus Tennis Center when Robbie Weiss was honored before the match against Alabama, where he is an assistant coach. The Crimson Tide defeated the Waves 4-0.
 
RESULTS
SINGLES

1. Mazen Osama (BAMA) def. Adrian Oetzbach (PEPP) –7-5, 6-1
2. Enrique Luque Rico (PEPP) vs. Edson Ortiz (BAMA) – 6-1, 4-5 unfinished
3. Matias Sborowitz (PEPP) vs. Patrick Kaukovalta (BAMA) – 6-3, 4-5 unfinished
4. Zhe Zhou (BAMA) def. Tim Zeitvogel (PEPP) – 6-2, 6-3
5. Alexey Nesterov (BAMA) def. Scotland Garapedian (PEPP) – 6-2, 6-2
6. Riccardo Roberto (BAMA) def. Pawel Jankowiak (PEPP) – 6-1, 7-6 (4)

 
MATCH RECAP
Because of a lengthy weather delay, the coaches agreed to playing singles first, therefore foregoing doubles play. In singles play, the Waves got off to a good start, with Sborowitz and Rico winning their first sets. Sborowitz won his first set 6-3 against Patrick Kaukovalta of Alabama, but was down 4-5 when the match was clinched on a separate court. Rico dominated his first set against Edson Ortiz, winning 6-1. Ortiz started the second set well, taking a 2-0 lead, but Rico fought back, eventually getting to 4-5 when the match was clinched. Jankowiak fell in his first set, and was down 4-1 in the second set when he fought all the way back and forced a tiebreak set, but fell 7-4 in the tiebreak.
 
QUOTABLE
"I am extremely proud of the guys and the way that we are learning to compete," said Head Coach Adam Schaechterle. "I thought there was a good stretch halfway through that match w here it was in the balance and we were in a heavyweight battle. Credit to Alabama; they did a great job in that moment of toughening up and executing at a high level. That's why they are a top 25 team. I am extremely proud of our guys. The growth from the first match until now has been incredible. We just need to continue that growth rate to see where we can get to by the end of the year."
 
NEXT UP
The Waves will be back in action on February 28th, as they take on Ball State in La Jolla, Calif. before the Pacific Coast Doubles Championship.