Davis, Calif. -- UC Irvine fought until the end in tough loss to No. 74 UC Davis, 4-3.
The Anteaters (16-8, 2-3) split the doubles wins with the Aggies (16-6, 3-2) at the No. 1 and No. 3 spots. Justin Agbayani and Jonathan Poon played a brilliant set defeating a tough No. 1 duo in Alec Adamson and Adam Levie, 6-1. The doubles point was decided by play at flight two where Jonathan Hammel and Tyler Pham eventually succumbed to Brett Bacharach and Eli Whittle, 6-4.
With some last minute singles line-up changes, the 'Eaters earned a point back to tie it up as Hammel quickly defeated Tommy Lam at the No. 6 spot, 6-2, 6-1. Tyler Pham earned the lead for the Anteaters with a straight sets win at flight three, 6-4, 6-2.
No. 5 Everett Malby defeated Vatsal Bajpai, 6-4, 6-3, to earn another singles point for UC Davis making the match two all.
Nico Mertens had a stellar performance at the top spot defeating nationally ranked No. 108 Alec Adamson 6-2, 6-4 putting UCI back on top, 3-2. Luca Marquard fell at flight two 6-3, 6-4 to James Wade putting the match in the hands of flight four.
No. 4 Agbayani came back after losing his first set to win the second and force a third set with Bryce McKelvie. Playing strong throughout his match, the senior eventually lost to McKelvie, 6-4, 4-6, 6-4 and the Aggies won the hard fought battle.
"We fought through adversity with courage and heart," said Head Coach Mike Saunders. "Today we saw the fruits of never giving up on yourself...we believed and competed. A tough loss but one to build from going into conference."
The Anteaters have finished their regular season playing strong and head into the Big West seeded in the fourth spot. The first round will begin with a 9 a.m. match on Wednesday (April 27) at Indian Wells Tennis Garden.
UC Irvine vs. UC Davis
April 24, 2016
Davis, Calif.
(74) UC Davis 4, UC Irvine 3
Doubles Competition
1. Justin Agbayani/Jonathan Poon (UCI) def. Alec Adamson/Adam Levie (UCD) 6-1
2. Brett Bacharach/Eli Whittle (UCD) def. Jonathan Hammel/Tyler Pham (UCI) 6-4
3. Tommy Lam/Bryce McKelvie (UCD) def. Nico Mertens/Sebastian Heim (UCI) 6-2
Order of finish: 1,3,2
Singles Competition
1. Nico Mertens (UCI) def. #108 Alec Adamson (UCD) 6-2, 6-4
2. James Wade (UCD) def. Luca Marquard (UCI) 6-3, 6-4
3. Tyler Pham (UCI) def. Brett Bacharach (UCD) 6-4, 6-2
4. Bryce McKelvie (UCD) def. Justin Agbayani (UCI) 6-4, 4-6, 6-4
5. Everett Maltby (UCD) def. Vatsal Bajpai (UCI) 6-4, 6-3
6. Jonathan Hammel (UCI) def. Tommy Lam (UCD) 6-2, 6-1
Order of finish: 6,3,5,1,2,4
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