MORAGA, Calif. – The Portland men's tennis team dropped a 4-2 road decision to Saint Mary's in West Coast Conference action Saturday at the Timothy Korth Tennis Complex.

Nikola Keremedchiev and Cade Fernando each won in straight sets to earn Portland's two points, but the Gaels (5-12, 2-1 WCC) were able to pull out a number of close matches to secure the victory.

Saint Mary's pulled off a comeback in doubles to grab the first point. Maxim Groysman and Stefan Skobelev cruised to a 6-3 win at No. 1 doubles for the Pilots (6-7, 0-3), but the Gaels answered with a 6-3 win at No. 3 and a tiebreak victory at No. 2 to claim the doubles point.

Saint Mary's jumped ahead 2-0 with a win at No. 3 singles before Keremedchiev knocked off Paulo Etchecoin 6-2, 6-0 at No. 2. Fernando followed shortly thereafter with a 6-4, 6-3 win against Ellison Greco at the No. 6 position.

The Gaels clinched the match with three set wins at No. 1 and No. 4, respectively. Pilot freshman Lucas Kimelman was trailing 6-5 in the third set to Pierre Lieutaud when the match was abandoned.

"I can't remember too many times the last five years where we have had our foot on the neck of our opponent in various spots and in doubles and let it get away," Portland head coach Aaron Gross lamented. "It has now happened twice in the last week. We are playing good in spots, but just not getting consistent performances and closing well enough. Most of that success and confidence comes in practice Monday through Friday and I feel like we're doing pretty good in that regard, but for whatever reason we have had two of these in the last seven days that should not have gotten away from us."

Portland will look to bounce back and finish the season strong with four home matches remaining. The Pilots next host No. 72 LMU on Friday, April 4 at 11 a.m. at the Louisiana-Pacific Tennis.

Saint Mary's 4, Portland 2
Moraga, Calif. (Timothy Korth Tennis Complex)
March 29, 2025
 
Singles
1. Carlos Ramos (SMC) def. Maxim Groysman (POR) 3-6, 6-3, 6-1
2. Nikola Keremedchiev (POR) def. Paulo Etchecoin (SMC) 6-2, 6-0
3. Thibaud Maxant (SMC) def. Stefan Skobelev (POR) 6-2, 6-1
4. Finley Dyer (SMC) def. Tom Garcia (POR) 3-6, 7-6, 6-2
5. Pierre Lieutaud (SMC) vs. Lucas Kimelman (POR) 7-6, 2-6, 6-5, unfinished
6. Cade Fernando (POR) def. Ellison Greco (SMC) 6-4, 6-3

Doubles
1. Groysman/Skobelev (POR) def. Ramos/Maxant (SMC) 6-3
2. Greco/Etchecoin (SMC) def. Keremedchev/Fernando (POR) 7-6
3. Dyer/Lieutaud (SMC) def. Garcia/Kimelman (POR) 6-3
 
Match Notes:
Saint Mary's 5-12, 2-1 WCC
Portland 6-7, 0-3 WCC
Order of finish: Doubles (1,3,2); Singles (3,2,6,1,4)
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