LOS ANGELES – The LMU men's tennis team defeated BYU 4-3 in a nonconference contest on Thursday afternoon at the LMU Tennis Center.Â
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With rain falling on campus in the morning, the decision was made to push the start time of the match back from 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. in order to give the athletes proper warm up times and to allow for the courts to be playable.Â
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The Lions took the doubles point with wins on courts two and three.Â
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The team of Yassine Smiej and
Alex Padro Parra were finished first as they handled their BYU opponents with a 6-4 win.Â
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Newcomer Max Wuelfing and returner Arthur Pantino teamed up on court two to take the point with another 6-4 win.Â
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Sebastian Nothhaft and
Toky Ranaivo were knotted up at 5-5 when the doubles point was clinched.Â
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The Lions and Cougars split the singles points, with Smiej, Pantino and Wuelfing taking victories and clinching the match for the Lions.Â
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Smiej was back on court one after his singles title at the National Collegiate Tennis Classic as he showcased his stamina and maneuverability around the court with a straight sets 6-4, 6-4 win. Â
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Pantino went the distance against his opponent on court three with a 6-4, 3-6, 6-3 win to help put the Lions on the brink of victory.Â
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It was the newcomer Wuelfing who put the Lions over the edge. He also went the distance, as he battled to a 6-3, 3-6, 6-3 win and sent the Lions into a celebration. Â
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One of the more exciting moments on the courts on Thursday was a tiebreaker battle on court six. Padro was facing elimination, down in the second set. He battled to a 6-6 tie in the second set before winning a tough tiebreaker round 7-5 to force a decisive third set.Â
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The Lions are back in action on Sunday against UCSD. First serve is scheduled for 12:00 p.m. (PT).Â
