PORTLAND, Ore. --- The deciding doubles point went Portland's way as they defeated UCI, 4-3, Thursday afternoon at the Louisiana-Pacific Tennis Center.

The 'Eaters' (1-6, 0-1) No. 1 and 2 duos were trumped 8-1 and 8-2, respectively, to give Portland the doubles point. Sam Gould (Hamilton, New Zealand / St. Kentigren College Prep) and Jon Kazarian (Rancho Palos Verdes / Peninsula HS) took their doubles match, 8-6, to avoid the sweep.

Singles play saw some amped up play. The teams split the first four matches. Fabian Matthews (Newport Beach / Corona del Mar HS) and Shuhei Shibahara (Rancho Palos Verdes / Peninsula HS) each took down their opponents in straight sets while Kazarian and Ryan Cheung (Irvine / University HS) fell in straight sets to make the score 3-2, Portland (6-0, 1-0).

Gould and Jacob Jung (Upland / Options for Youth HS) took their matches into the third set. Gould won his first set, 6-3, while Jung dropped his by the same score. Jung would make a furious comeback to win the second set, 7-6, while Gould fell, 7-6. Gould would eventually take the third set, 6-2, to tie it up, but Jung couldn't get the final point dropping the third set, 6-3.

UCI continues to skid with its fifth loss in a row. The 'Eaters now travel to the University of Oregon to face Washington Saturday and then the host, Oregon, Sunday. 

UC Irvine vs Portland
2/23/2012 at Portland, Ore.
(Louisiana-Pacifc Tennis Center)

Portland 4, #54 UC Irvine 3

Singles competition 

1. Fabian Matthews (UCI) def. Stefan Micov (POR) 6-3, 7-6
2. Sam Gould (UCI) def. Geoff Hernandez (POR) 6-3, 6-7, 6-2
3. Michel Hu Kwo (POR) def. Jacob Jung (UCI) 6-3, 6-7, 6-3
4. Alex Ferrero (POR) def. Jon Kazarian (UCI) 7-6, 6-4
5. Justin Guay (POR) def. Ryan Cheung (UCI) 6-3, 6-4
6. Shuhei Shibahara (UCI) def. Daniel Coelho (POR) 6-1, 6-3

Doubles competition

1. Ferrero/Hu Kwo (POR) def. Matthews/Cheung (UCI) 8-1
2. Hernandez/Micov (POR) def. DeCoster/Jung (UCI) 8-2
3. Gould/Kazarian (UCI) def. Coelho/Guay (POR) 8-6

Match Notes:
UC Irvine 1-6; National ranking #54
Portland 6-0

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