Santa Barbara, Calif. – UC Irvine was defeated by No. 49 UC Santa Barbara on the Gauchos' home courts 6-1.
UC Irvine (13-6, 2-1) took their first Big West loss at the hands of UCSB (11-6, 2-0) ending the 'Eaters' seven-game win streak.
The Gauchos took the early 1-0 lead taking the doubles point with wins at flight one as nationally ranked UCSB duo Nathan Eshmade and Miles Seemann defeated Justin Agbayani and Jonathan Poon 6-2, and at flight two when Nicolas Moreno and Anders Holm defeated Jonathan Hammel and Tyler Pham 6-4. With the doubles point clinched, the match at flight three went unfinished.
UC Santa Barbara continued to play strong in singles taking the wins at flights six, five and two clinching the game-winning fourth point. No. 6 Vatsal Bajpai lost to Teague Hamilton 6-2, 6-2. While Agbayani fell to Cody Rakela 6-2, 6-4. Finally, UCSB's No. 2 Nicolas Moreno defeated Nico Mertens 6-2, 6-3.
Pham's seven-match win streak continued as the senior earned the 'Eaters a point at flight four defeating Holm after forcing a third set to win 1-6, 6-4, 6-3.
UC Irvine continued to battle in the final matches forcing match tie-breakers when No.78 Sebastian Heim won the second set at the No.1 spot against Eshmade, and No.3 Luca Marquard won the second set against Morgan Mays. Both Anteaters battled until the end but ultimately came up short. Heim fell 6-2, 4-6, 17-15 and Marquard lost 6-3, 5-7, 13-11.
The Anteaters continue with ranked opponents at No. 68 Loyola Marymount on Monday (April 4) at 1:00 p.m.
UC Irvine vs. UC Santa Barbara
April 3, 2016 at Santa Barbara, Calif.
(49) UC Santa Barbara 6, UC Irvine 1
Doubles Competition
1. #34 Nathan Eshmade/Miles Seemann (UCSB) def. Justin Agbayani/Jonathan Poon (UCI) 6-2
2. Nicolas Moreno/Anders Holm (UCSB) def. Tyler Pham/Jonathan Hammel (UCI) 6-4
3. Sebastian Heim/Nico Mertens (UCI) vs. Morgan Mays/Andrew Riminton (UCSB) unfinished
Order of finish: 2,1
Singles Competition
1. Nathan Eshmade (UCSB) def. #78 Sebastian Heim (UCI) 6-2, 4-6, 17-15
2. Nicolas Moreno (UCSB) def. Nico Mertens (UCI) 6-2, 6-3
3. Morgan Mays (UCSB) def. Luca Marquard (UCI) 6-3, 5-7, 13-11
4. Tyler Pham (UCI) def. Anders Holm (UCSB) 1-6, 6-4, 6-3
5. Cody Rakela (UCSB) def. Justin Agbayani (UCI) 6-2, 6-4
6. Teague Hamilton (UCSB) def. Vatsal Bajpai (UCI) 6-2, 6-2
Order of finish: 6,5,2,4,1,3
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