March 15, 2005
By Roland Hu, USD Media Relations
San Diego, Calif. - The University of San Diego entered today's match-up with Utah riding on a six-game winning streak and a No. 33 national ranking. However, that meant little to the University of Utah, as they came to Alcalá Park with an upset in mind. Despite winning the match by a score of 6-1, the Toreros had to battle hard for every earned point.
"They came to play, which impressed me. Utah came here with the intent to win," said head coach Tom Hagedorn. "Sometimes you see a team with a low ranking and you tend to overlook them. But Utah is good."
The No. 75 Utes surprised the Toreros with their doubles play, as the No. 2 and No. 3 doubles teams found themselves in huge deficits in the early stages of the afternoon. On Court No. 2, Pierrick Ysern and Oscar Plotnik found themselves down 7-2, while Robbie Blair and Thomas Liversage were behind 4-0 at the No. 3 spot. Nic Beuque and Mirza Koristovic edged out Zach Ganger and Miron Mann 8-6 at No. 1 to give San Diego the slight edge and their teammates made a valiant effort to comeback and win the doubles point. Ysern and Plotnik rallied furiously to go ahead 8-7, but ultimately fell 9-8 to Nick Coutts and Jason Yap. Blair and Liversage also made a mini-comeback of their own, but the early deficit was too much to overcome as Tomasz Grzyb and Dan Mascall took the third doubles match 9-7 to give Utah the early 1-0 lead.
Down for the first time since early February, the Toreros dug down deep and showed the Utes their depth in singles. Ysern was the first off the court for San Diego, as he demolished Grzyb 6-3, 6-1. Blair next came off after his 6-0, 6-4 thrashing of Ryan Scott and Nic Beuque put the home team comfortably ahead with his 6-3, 6-3 win over Zach Ganger. Plotnik clinched the match after he took out Mascall 6-0, 6-4. Liversage, who overcame a terrible first set, battled back to beat Jason Yap 1-6, 7-6, 6-0 and Koristovic edged out Mann 7-6, 7-6 to complete the singles sweep.
San Diego improves to 7-3, while Utah falls to 8-3 on the season. The Toreros will next face Princeton University on Thursday, March 17 at the USD West Tennis Courts. Game time is at 1:30 P.M.
Doubles (Utah wins the doubles point)
1. Nic Beuque/Mirza Koristovic (USD) def. Zach Ganger/Miron Mann (Utah), 8-6
2. Nick Coutts/Jason Yap (Utah) def. Oscar Plotnik/Pierrick Ysern (USD), 9-8
3. Tomasz Grzyb/Dan Mascall (Utah) def. Robbie Blair/Thomas Liversage (USD), 9-7
Singles
1. Pierrick Ysern (USD) def. Tomasz Grzyb (Utah), 6-3, 6-1
2. Nic Beuque (USD) def. Zach Ganger (Utah), 6-3, 6-3
3. Mirza Koristovic (USD) def. Miron Mann (Utah), 7-6, 7-6
4. Robbie Blair (USD) def. Ryan Scott (Utah), 6-0, 6-4
5. Thomas Liversage (USD) def. Jason Yap (Utah), 1-6, 7-6, 6-0
6. Oscar Plotnik (USD) def. Dan Mascall (Utah), 6-0, 6-4
