LOS ANGELES – The LMU men's tennis team split a pair of weekend matchups with Denver and Boise State on Friday and Sunday. The Lions defeated the Pioneers 5-2 before falling to the Broncos 4-2 on Sunday afternoon. Â
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Emin Torlic continued to be a steady hand on court three with a pair of victories.Â
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He looked to be cruising to victory on Friday against Denver with a 6-1 win in the first set. He fell in the second set before an emphatic win in the third that saw him uncharacteristically show some emotion after game point was settled. Â
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Arthur Pantino also continued his stellar play with a victory on court two with a three set victory, 6-4, 4-7, 6-4. Â
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Yssine Smiej dropped the first set, but double dipped the final two 6-4, 6-1 to take an important point on court one. Â
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Austin Di Giulio won his first singles match of the season since returning to the lineup against Arizona State. He won in straight sets 6-4, 6-2. Â
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John Bryan Otico clinched the match on court four with an absolute thriller. After dropping the first set, Otico came back with a 6-4 win in the second. The third set went the distance with Otico winning 7-6 (7-2). Â
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The Lions have been very strong in the singles aspect this season. This is just the latest match in which LMU dropped the doubles point before winning the match in singles play.Â
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The Broncos defeated the Lions on Sunday despite some good play up and down the lineup. Â
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LMU could not win the doubles point, but Torlic and Otico scored a pair of quick points to make the match close early. Â
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Torlic won in straight sets on court three, 6-3, 6-1 and Otico won on court four, 6-4, 6-4. Â
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After dropping on five and six, the Lions needed to take the final two courts to take the victory. Â
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Pantino was so close to taking the second court in two, but fell 7-6 in the second set and then fell 7-6 (7-3)Â in the final set.Â
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The Lions will take a short hiatus before a matchup with the Naval Academy on Mar. 15 at the LMU Tennis Center.Â
