TEMPE, Ariz. – Joel Gamerov won his singles match to give San Diego a 3-2 lead but the Toreros were unable to seal the victory and dropped a tough 4-3 decision at Arizona State on Sunday afternoon.
 
It was a battle against the Sun Devils (4-5) with the match lasting four hours and three-of-five singles matches going to third sets.
 
"Congrats to ASU on a gutsy win today," said head coach Ryan Keckley. "Both teams competed extremely well during the four-hour battle. It's never easy being on the road four of the first five weeks. We put ourselves in position to win but just didn't pull the trigger when we needed too."
 
The Toreros (6-3) fell behind early after dropping two close doubles matches. Gui Osorio and Nico Borter fell 7-5 to No. 51 Dominik Kellovsky and Nathan Ponwith in the No. 1 spot, 7-5.
 
ASU secured the doubles point by a score of 7-6 at No. 2 when Makey Rakotomalala and Justin Roberts defeated August Holmgren and Joel Gamerov. Guus Koevermans and David Norfeldt are 8-0 in doubles play this year but their match was left unfinished tied at 6-6.
 
USD rebounded nicely by winning the first two singles matches of the day. August Holmgren made quick work of Kellovsky at No. 1, 7-5, 6-3. He improved to 5-3 in dual matches and 3-2 at the one-spot this season.
 
Norfeldt followed shortly after with a win at No. 5, defeating Rakotomalala, 6-4, 6-2. Norfeldt improved to 5-1 in dual match play and gave USD a 2-1 lead.
 
The Sun Devils won the next singles match to level the score 2-2.
 
Gamerov put the Toreros up 3-2 with a win at No. 4, defeating No. 97 Justin Roberts, 5-7, 6-4, 6-4. He is 5-2 overall and 4-0 in the fourth spot this season.
 
That was all the Toreros would manage, however, as ASU won the next two matches to earn the 4-3 comeback victory.
 
"These are the losses though that really sting for a team, but ultimately you learn from these experiences in the end," said Keckley. "We are knocking on the door and it opened today, we just have to be brave enough to walk through the doorway. Unfortunately, today we were not. Tomorrow we will be though because this team is starting to really believe in themselves and each other."
 
USD will look to rebound this coming week when it plays host to Oklahoma State on Wednesday at 12 p.m. PT and Saint Mary's on Sunday at noon.