SEATTLE, Wash. – Portland's men's tennis team battled but came up short in a 4-3 loss to San Diego State in a neutral site match Saturday afternoon at the Nordstrom Tennis Center.
The Aztecs (2-0) took the doubles point with wins at the No. 1 and No. 3 positions. Portland's No. 2 doubles tandem of Julien Penzlin and Nikolas Tvedt picked up a 6-4 win.
The Pilots (0-3) came out strong in singles and won in straight sets at the No. 1, No. 3 and No. 6 positions to grab a 3-1 overall lead. Sema Pankin held off Johannes Seeman 7-6, 6-3 at the top of the lineup. Penzlin cruised 6-2, 6-4 at No. 3 over Victor Castro and Nicolas Ocano won both sets at love at No. 6.
The other three singles matches all went the distance and favored San Diego State. Joe Tyler held on for a 7-5, 2-6, 7-5 win against Eleftherios Neos at No. 2. Jules Auffray knocked off Oscar Brown 3-6, 6-2, 6-4 and Alexander Mandma clinched the match with a 6-4, 3-6, 7-6 win against Nikolas Tvedt at No. 4.
"I don't remember losing a match with that many opportunities where we didn't convert," Portland head coach Aaron Gross said. "We served for the doubles point didn't get that and then lost three close ones in the third set of deciding matches. It's not fun to lose like that. It might turn out meaning nothing or it might turn out meaning everything. You can't be hesitant in those moments and let the opportunity pass. We need to find the strength and resolve to do the things that are uncomfortable when it really matters instead of just hoping that it works out.
"Julien stood out today from a doubles and singles perspective. I was really happy with his concentration and his consistent aggressiveness. We had some good performances at times at different spots, but didn't find the uncommon performance that we've gotten used to when these moments come."
Portland will return to action against another Top 10 opponent when they take on the No. 8 USC Trojans on Tuesday, Feb. 15 in Seattle, Wash. at Tennis Center Sand Point.
San Diego State 4, Portland 3
Seattle, Wash. (Nordstrom Tennis Center)
February 5, 2022
Singles
1. Sema Pankin (POR) def. Johannes Seeman (SDSU) 7-6, 6-3
2. Joe Tyler (SDSU) def. Eleftherios Neos (POR) 7-5, 2-6, 7-5
3. Julien Penzlin (POR) def. Victor Castro (SDSU) 6-2, 6-4
4. Alexander Mandma (SDSU) def. Nikolas Tvedt (POR) 6-4, 3-6, 7-6
5. Jules Auffray (SDSU) def. Oscar Brown (POR) 3-6, 6-2, 6-4
6. Nicolas Ocana (POR) def. Judson Blair (SDSU) 6-0, 6-0
Doubles
1. Tyler/Castro (SDSU) def. Pankin/Neos (POR) 6-3
2. Penzlin/Tvedt (POR) def. Seeman/Mandma (SDSU) 6-4
3. Blair/Auffray (SDSU) def. Ocana/Brown (POR) 7-5
Team Records
Portland 0-3
San Diego State 2-0
Order of Finish: Doubles (1,2,3); Singles ()
