Feb. 8, 2014

Los Angeles, Calif. -- The LMU men's tennis team found themselves in a thriller of a match in Santa Barbara on Saturday, but could not overcome the Gauchos down the stretch. The Lions fell 4-3 in their first setback of the season, dropping them to a 2-1 record for the year, while the Gauchos improve to 2-2.

The Lions got off to a fast start, sweeping the three matches in doubles play. Finishing first was Cristobal Rivera and Felix Van Kann, who won a quick 6-2 set on Court 2. Sebastian Bustamante and Todd Volmari were paired together for the Lions on Court 1, who clinched the doubles point for LMU with a 6-3 win. David Doehring and Daniel Simko rounded out doubles play on Court 3, where they defeated their opponent 6-5.

The Gauchos tied up the team score at 1-1 in the first singles match to finish on Court 5. Rivera then won his singles match 6-3, 6-3 on Court 3 to take the lead back for LMU. Volmari then won 6-5, 6-2 on Court 4 to give the Lions their third point of the match. The Gauchos would turn it on from there however, winning on the final three courts to take the match by a score of 4-3.

LMU will return to campus for their first home match of the season next Thursday when they face Grand Canyon University at 11:00a.m.