Box Score MORAGA, Calif. – The Portland men's tennis team came away with a thrilling 4-3 road win against the Saint Mary's Gaels Saturday afternoon at Korth Tennis Complex. The Pilots fell behind early, but scored the final two points in singles to complete the comeback victory and finish the season 10-6 overall and 4-3 in West Coast Conference play.
Juniors Nicklas Oberg and Issa Yoshida provided the clinching points under pressure, while Eleftherios Neos and freshman Nikolas Tvedt picked up straight set singles wins for the Pilots.
"Today was a huge win," Portland head coach Aaron Gross said. "Saint Mary's isn't our best win on paper for the year, but it really feels good to get a come-from-behind road win to finish the season."
Portland won at No. 1 doubles with Sema Pankin and Neos pulling out a 6-2 win, but the Gaels won at the other two positions to take the early lead.
The Gaels picked up wins at No. 1 and No. 6 singles. Tvedt then defeated Andy Watterson 6-2, 6-2 at No. 5 and Neos pulled out a 6-3, 7-5 win against James Watt at No. 2 singles to make it a 3-2 Saint Mary's lead.
Oberg then completed his comeback at No. 4 singles against Fabian Roensdorf with a 2-6, 6-2, 6-4 victory. Yoshida clinched moments later with a 6-4, 4-6, 6-4 win against Matis Bot at No. 3 singles.
"We tried some new doubles teams and didn't have too much luck," Gross said. "We played well at No. 1, but the other two struggled with continuity. Their No. 1 singles player is one of the best players on the West Coast so we knew that was going to be an uphill battle. Sema played well and had a few chances, but the guy was just very solid.
"From there we just had to scrap and fight to get four points. Lefty and Nik Tvedt got through their matches in straight sets and Leo struggled in his match. That left Nick Oberg and Issa Yoshida on the court. We had to win them both on the road on senior day against two seniors and we did it. We had some great moments the season and this one is right up there with the others. Really proud of you guys fight today."
Portland 4, Saint Mary's 3
Moraga, Calif. (Korth Tennis Complex)
April 24, 2021
Singles
1. Damon Kesaris (SMC) def. Sema Pankin (POR) 6-3, 6-1
2. Eleftherios Neos (POR) def. James Watt (SMC) 6-3, 7-5
3. Issa Yoshida (POR) def. Matis Bot (SMC) 6-4, 4-6, 6-4
4. Nicklas Oberg (POR) def. Fabian Roensdorf (SMC) 2-6, 6-2, 6-4
5. Nikolas Tvedt (POR) def. Andy Watterson (SMC) 6-2, 6-2
6. Felipe Rincon (SMC) def. Leo Hibi (POR) 6-2, 6-3
Doubles
1. Neos/Pankin (POR) def. Watt/Boris Reckow (SMC) 6-2
2. Kesaris/Bot (SMC) def. Oberg/Hibi (POR) 6-2
3. Roensdorf/Rincon (SMC) def. Yoshida/Tvedt (POR) 6-4
