Results

TULSA, Okla. - Junior Luis Lopez and senior Luca Marquard each suffered a tough three-set loss in the prequalifying singles Round of 64 on the second day of the Saint Francis Health System ITA All-American Championships at Michael D. Case Tennis Center.

Although Lopez got off to a slow start on Sunday morning, he refused to go down without a fight in a 6-3, 5-7, 7-6 (4) setback to Tyler Schick of Tulane. The Chula Vista, Calif., native held serve to 5-4 in the third and was two points away from a comeback victory on his opponent's serve, but ended up falling just short.
 
"I was especially proud of how Luis competed today," UCI head coach Mike Saunders said. "He did all the things we talk about; problem solving, making adjustments, turning adversity into opportunity and winning must-have points with sheer will. When he was not playing well, he kept perspective, which takes courage and grit. He reached in his toolbox and found another level to get back in the match, and had chances down the stretch.

"Luis is a joy to coach because he intuitively understands that getting better at this level requires more than everything you have mentally and physically. You have to dig deep with belief in the toughest moments and when you think you've given all you have, that's where you discover the levels you didn't think were there."
 
Marquard dropped a 7-5, 3-6, 6-3 decision to Monmouth's Nicola Pipoli in the Round of 64. Pipoli came out strong in the first set, but Marquard stayed in it as he bounced back in the second frame with more effective serving and aggressive positioning. The Bensheim, Germany, native then went up 3-0 in the third before Pipoli answered by winning the next six games.
 
"In the second set, Luca controlled more of the points and disrupted his opponent's rhythm," Saunders said. "Sometimes when players are hot, you have to take it to them - play more aggressive earlier in the point to give them less time, which is what Luca did to win the second. Overall, Luca is more comfortable playing from a more aggressive court position than last year. It will serve him well as the season progresses."

Marquard and Lopez both finished singles action with a 2-1 record after picking up a pair of wins on Saturday.
 
UC Irvine will continue action at the ITA All-American Championships on Monday, Oct. 2. Senior Sebastian Heim starts play in the qualifying singles bracket, while Heim and Lopez are also entered in the qualifying doubles draw.