Saturday, February 15
Rohnert Park, Calif.
10:00 AM
UC Irvine
at
Sonoma State
'Eaters Head Back North for Two Matches
February 13, 2020 | Men's Tennis
UC Irvine (1-2) at
Sonoma State (3-0)
Date: Saturday, Feb. 15
Time:Β 10 a.m. (PST)
Location:Β SSU Tennis Courts - Rohnert Park, Calif.
UC Irvine (1-2) at
Pacific (1-4)
Date: Sunday, Feb. 16
Time:Β 10 a.m. (PST)
Location:Β Eve Zimmerman Tennis Center - Stockton, Calif.
Notes (PDF)
IRVINE, Calif. -Β The UC Irvine men's tennis team makes a return trip to Northern California this weekend, starting at Sonoma State on Saturday, Feb. 15. The Anteaters will then head to Stockton for a Sunday (Feb. 16) showdown at Pacific. Both matches are slated for a 10 a.m. start.
Β
STORYLINES
β’ UC Irvine earned its first win of the young dual-match season in convincing fashion last weekend, defeating Saint Mary's, 6-1, in Moraga.
Β
β’ Senior Daniel Gealer clinched the match with a 7-6 (3), 6-3 triumph at No. 3 singles. It was his second win of the year, and 31st of his UCI career.
Β
β’ Gealer and senior Bruce Man-Son-Hing also secured the doubles point with a 7-5 victory on court two. It was Man-Son-Hing's 40th career doubles win, putting him in a tie for 30th in school history.
Β
β’ Gealer, who has been playing at No. 3 in the singles lineup, is tied for the team lead with a 2-1 dual-match record. He is the Anteaters' active wins leader, boasting a 31-12 career mark in two-plus seasons at UC Irvine.
Β
β’ Transfers Mark Peneff and Jeremy Merville have made an immediate impact as they are also 2-1 in dual-match play.
Β
β’ All 10 Anteaters saw action during the fall tournament season, combining for 47 singles and 18 doubles victories.
Β
β’ Sophomore Mike Mkrtchian owns the best overall record for the 'Eaters at 9-3 (1-1 dual). Merville and junior Mateusz Smolicki also have nine overall singles wins each.
Β
β’ UCI returns six letterwinners from a 2019 squad that went 15-8 and made its fifth-straight appearance in the semifinals of the Big West Tournament. The Anteaters also welcome four newcomers with two freshmen and two transfers.
Β
β’ In their Division I history, the 'Eaters have made 11 NCAA Tournament appearances, while winning 17 Big West regular-season championships and three Big West Tournament titles.
Β
LAST TIME OUT
UC Irvine rolled past Saint Mary's, 6-1, this past Sunday (Feb. 9) at Timothy Korth Tennis Complex. The Anteaters switched up their doubles lineup and it quickly paid off. Mateusz Smolicki and Mark Peneff, who were playing together for the first time, dispatched Boris Reckow/James Watt, 6-2, at the top of the lineup. The Gaels answered with a 6-4 victory at No. 3, putting the fate of the doubles point on court two. Bruce Man-Son-Hing and Daniel Gealer stepped up to the challenge, upending Matis Bot/Karlo Divkovic, 7-5, to give the 'Eaters a 1-0 lead in the match.
Β
Smolicki (No. 1) and Peneff (No. 2) carried the momentum into their respective singles matches with each picking up a straight-set victory. Gealer then clinched the match on court three, while Jeremy Merville and Mike Mkrtchian added wins at No. 4 and No. 6, respectively.
Β
WEST COAST SWING
UCI will be playing its third West Coast Conference opponent in four matches when it takes on Pacific this Sunday. UCI is 1-1 so far against WCC foes.
Β
A GLANCE AT SONOMA STATE
Sonoma State, which is an NCAA Division II institution, improved to 3-0 on the year with a win over American River College in its most recent outing on Feb. 7. The Seawolves welcome back five letterwinners from a 2019 squad that went 10-6 overall. Junior Santiago Sarudiansky and senior Max Nudell earned All-Pacific West Conference honors last year.
Β
SCOUTING THE TIGERS
Pacific (1-4) fell to No. 8 Stanford, 4-0, before defeating Grand Canyon, 4-2, last weekend. The Tigers welcome back seven letterwinners from a 2019 squad that went 6-16 overall. Sophomore Philip Hjorth came in at No. 118 in the latest ITA Singles Rankings released on Feb. 5.
Β
Since 1997, UC Irvine is 14-12 against Pacific. This is the third year in a row the Anteaters will square off against the former Big West member. In 2019, the 'Eaters defeated the Tigers, 4-2, with Mateusz Smolicki, Daniel Gealer and Aaron Bailey winning their singles matches.
Β
DOUBLES KING
Senior Bruce Man-Son-Hing is a two-time All-Big West doubles selection. He earned first-team honors in 2018 and second-team recognition in 2019. In three-plus years, he has accumulated a 40-23 record. His 40 doubles wins are tied for 30th in school history.
Β
SENIOR LEADER
Senior Daniel Gealer is UC Irvine's active singles wins leader. During his Anteater tenure, the UCLA transfer is 31-12 (.721) in dual-match play.
Β
STEPPING UP
Junior Mateusz Smolicki has stepped into the No. 1 role this season, playing every match at the top of the lineup in both singles and doubles. In 2019, Smolicki earned All-Big West honors after picking up 12 singles and nine doubles wins. The USC transfer played primarily at No. 3 singles last year.
Β
FALL HIGHLIGHTS
Mateusz Smolicki won the consolation bracket at the ITA Southwest Regional Championships in Malibu, reeling off five-straight victories to claim the back draw title. Mike Mkrtchian finished with a team-best 8-2 record, picking up impressive wins over opponents from Pac-12 schools UCLA and Utah. In addition, he was the State Flight consolation champion at the Aztec Fall Invitational. In doubles, Aaron Bailey and Ali Amiri partnered for a team-leading 5-3 mark.
Β
The LMU Invitational was a four-team tournament with each school squaring off in both singles and doubles over the course of three days (Nov. 8-10). Although the team results did not count, UCI went 3-0, defeating Utah, Utah State and Loyola Marymount.
Β
UP NEXT
UC Irvine concludes its five-match road swing at No. 16 UCLA on Sunday, Feb. 23.Β
Β
Sonoma State (3-0)
Date: Saturday, Feb. 15
Time:Β 10 a.m. (PST)
Location:Β SSU Tennis Courts - Rohnert Park, Calif.
UC Irvine (1-2) at
Pacific (1-4)
Date: Sunday, Feb. 16
Time:Β 10 a.m. (PST)
Location:Β Eve Zimmerman Tennis Center - Stockton, Calif.
Notes (PDF)
IRVINE, Calif. -Β The UC Irvine men's tennis team makes a return trip to Northern California this weekend, starting at Sonoma State on Saturday, Feb. 15. The Anteaters will then head to Stockton for a Sunday (Feb. 16) showdown at Pacific. Both matches are slated for a 10 a.m. start.
Β
STORYLINES
β’ UC Irvine earned its first win of the young dual-match season in convincing fashion last weekend, defeating Saint Mary's, 6-1, in Moraga.
Β
β’ Senior Daniel Gealer clinched the match with a 7-6 (3), 6-3 triumph at No. 3 singles. It was his second win of the year, and 31st of his UCI career.
Β
β’ Gealer and senior Bruce Man-Son-Hing also secured the doubles point with a 7-5 victory on court two. It was Man-Son-Hing's 40th career doubles win, putting him in a tie for 30th in school history.
Β
β’ Gealer, who has been playing at No. 3 in the singles lineup, is tied for the team lead with a 2-1 dual-match record. He is the Anteaters' active wins leader, boasting a 31-12 career mark in two-plus seasons at UC Irvine.
Β
β’ Transfers Mark Peneff and Jeremy Merville have made an immediate impact as they are also 2-1 in dual-match play.
Β
β’ All 10 Anteaters saw action during the fall tournament season, combining for 47 singles and 18 doubles victories.
Β
β’ Sophomore Mike Mkrtchian owns the best overall record for the 'Eaters at 9-3 (1-1 dual). Merville and junior Mateusz Smolicki also have nine overall singles wins each.
Β
β’ UCI returns six letterwinners from a 2019 squad that went 15-8 and made its fifth-straight appearance in the semifinals of the Big West Tournament. The Anteaters also welcome four newcomers with two freshmen and two transfers.
Β
β’ In their Division I history, the 'Eaters have made 11 NCAA Tournament appearances, while winning 17 Big West regular-season championships and three Big West Tournament titles.
Β
LAST TIME OUT
UC Irvine rolled past Saint Mary's, 6-1, this past Sunday (Feb. 9) at Timothy Korth Tennis Complex. The Anteaters switched up their doubles lineup and it quickly paid off. Mateusz Smolicki and Mark Peneff, who were playing together for the first time, dispatched Boris Reckow/James Watt, 6-2, at the top of the lineup. The Gaels answered with a 6-4 victory at No. 3, putting the fate of the doubles point on court two. Bruce Man-Son-Hing and Daniel Gealer stepped up to the challenge, upending Matis Bot/Karlo Divkovic, 7-5, to give the 'Eaters a 1-0 lead in the match.
Β
Smolicki (No. 1) and Peneff (No. 2) carried the momentum into their respective singles matches with each picking up a straight-set victory. Gealer then clinched the match on court three, while Jeremy Merville and Mike Mkrtchian added wins at No. 4 and No. 6, respectively.
Β
WEST COAST SWING
UCI will be playing its third West Coast Conference opponent in four matches when it takes on Pacific this Sunday. UCI is 1-1 so far against WCC foes.
Β
A GLANCE AT SONOMA STATE
Sonoma State, which is an NCAA Division II institution, improved to 3-0 on the year with a win over American River College in its most recent outing on Feb. 7. The Seawolves welcome back five letterwinners from a 2019 squad that went 10-6 overall. Junior Santiago Sarudiansky and senior Max Nudell earned All-Pacific West Conference honors last year.
Β
SCOUTING THE TIGERS
Pacific (1-4) fell to No. 8 Stanford, 4-0, before defeating Grand Canyon, 4-2, last weekend. The Tigers welcome back seven letterwinners from a 2019 squad that went 6-16 overall. Sophomore Philip Hjorth came in at No. 118 in the latest ITA Singles Rankings released on Feb. 5.
Β
Since 1997, UC Irvine is 14-12 against Pacific. This is the third year in a row the Anteaters will square off against the former Big West member. In 2019, the 'Eaters defeated the Tigers, 4-2, with Mateusz Smolicki, Daniel Gealer and Aaron Bailey winning their singles matches.
Β
DOUBLES KING
Senior Bruce Man-Son-Hing is a two-time All-Big West doubles selection. He earned first-team honors in 2018 and second-team recognition in 2019. In three-plus years, he has accumulated a 40-23 record. His 40 doubles wins are tied for 30th in school history.
Β
SENIOR LEADER
Senior Daniel Gealer is UC Irvine's active singles wins leader. During his Anteater tenure, the UCLA transfer is 31-12 (.721) in dual-match play.
Β
STEPPING UP
Junior Mateusz Smolicki has stepped into the No. 1 role this season, playing every match at the top of the lineup in both singles and doubles. In 2019, Smolicki earned All-Big West honors after picking up 12 singles and nine doubles wins. The USC transfer played primarily at No. 3 singles last year.
Β
FALL HIGHLIGHTS
Mateusz Smolicki won the consolation bracket at the ITA Southwest Regional Championships in Malibu, reeling off five-straight victories to claim the back draw title. Mike Mkrtchian finished with a team-best 8-2 record, picking up impressive wins over opponents from Pac-12 schools UCLA and Utah. In addition, he was the State Flight consolation champion at the Aztec Fall Invitational. In doubles, Aaron Bailey and Ali Amiri partnered for a team-leading 5-3 mark.
Β
The LMU Invitational was a four-team tournament with each school squaring off in both singles and doubles over the course of three days (Nov. 8-10). Although the team results did not count, UCI went 3-0, defeating Utah, Utah State and Loyola Marymount.
Β
UP NEXT
UC Irvine concludes its five-match road swing at No. 16 UCLA on Sunday, Feb. 23.Β
Β
Players Mentioned
/ Men's Tennis
/ Men's Tennis
/ Men's Tennis
/ Men's Tennis
/ Men's Tennis
/ Men's Tennis
/ Men's Tennis
/ Men's Tennis
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