Results

SAN DIEGO - The UC Irvine men's tennis team (1-2) earned a couple impressive singles wins but ultimately fell to San Diego, 5-2, Sunday afternoon at Skip and Cindy Hogan Tennis Center.
 
The Anteaters found themselves down 3-0, when graduate transfer Bjorn Hoffmann and sophomore Matthew Sah posted back-to-back singles victories to bring the visitors within one. Hoffmann, who is the reigning Big West Athlete of the Week, highlighted the afternoon with a straight-set win over a nationally-ranked opponent at the top of the lineup. Sah also won in straight sets at No. 5.
 
The Toreros (2-0) came out strong in doubles action to take the early lead. At No. 1, Bjorn Hoffmann and Bruce Man-Son-Hing fell to August Holmgren/David Norfeldt, 6-2. USD then secured the early point on court three as Nico Borter/Sacchitt Sharrma defeated Matthew Sah and Jonathan Star, 6-3. Sah and Star were playing in their second match together.
 
In singles, San Diego extended its lead with wins at Nos. 2 and 4. The 'Eaters refused to go down quietly as Sah fought off a 5-2 deficit in the second frame to complete a 6-1, 7-5 triumph over Scharrma on court five.
 
Hoffmann followed just minutes later with a statement win as he upended Holmgren, who is 60th in the Oracle/ITA singles rankings. Hoffmann was also trailing 5-4 in the second set before taking the next three games to dispatch Holmgren, 6-3, 7-5, at the No. 1 position.
 
The Toreros then clinched the match on court three where junior Mark Peneff dropped a hard-fought 6-2, 7-6 (3) decision to Borter.
 
UC Irvine's next scheduled match is Sunday, Feb. 21, when it welcomes Fresno State to Anteater Tennis Stadium for its home opener at 11 a.m.