STOCKTON, Calif. – San Diego men's tennis overcame a slow start in doubles by sweeping singles to beat Pacific 4-1 on Sunday at the Eve Zimmerman Tennis Center.
 
USD (7-3, 2-0 WCC) earned its fourth win in a row – and second in WCC play – in a match that was postponed by a day due to rain in Stockton on Saturday. The Toreros captured every singles set against Pacific (1-12, 0-1 WCC) after losing both matches in doubles.
 
"Pacific took it to us in doubles, no questions asked," said USD head coach Ryan Keckley. "We got off to a very slow start emotionally. The boys responded quickly, though, by capturing all first six sets in singles. They used each other very well to build on early momentum. When they pounce on a team like that initially, it is very challenging for them to claw their way back into a neutral position. It was great to get our second win in conference play."
 
The highlight win for USD in singles was by #52 August Holmgren, who improved to 5-2 this spring against ranked opponents after topping #120 Philip Hjorth 6-4, 6-2. The victory for Holmgren over his fellow native of Denmark put the Toreros in position to clinch the match.
 
"Congrats to August as well," added Keckley. "He played some of the best tennis I've seen him play this year. It is never easy competing against a fellow countrymen. He did a great job handling that emotion and seizing his opportunities today."
 
Prior to Holmgren's win at No. 1, the Toreros earned victories at No. 5 and 4 by freshman Marvin Schaber and junior David Norfeldt, respectively. Schaber tied the overall match at 1-1 by taking down Toi Kobayashi 6-2, 6-2 and then was followed by Norfeldt's 6-1, 6-3 decision against Nathan Hampton.
 
For the second match in a row, senior Joel Gamerov clinched the win for USD by earning a victory at No. 3. Gamerov improved to 9-0 in singles this year by beating John Horoz Garner 6-4, 6-3.
 
USD mixed up its doubles pairings from its most recent matches and lost at No. 3 and No. 2. Gui Osorio and Armin Rostami, playing in doubles together for the first time this year, lost 6-3 against Hampton and Garner while Norfeldt and Schaber, who played up at No. 2 for the first time this spring, lost 6-3 to Hjorth and Coby McCaig.
 
After four of its last six matches being on the road, the Toreros will return to San Diego to host the San Diego Shakedown March 14-15. USD along with Arizona, Penn State and Texas Tech will compete in the tournament at the Hogan Tennis Center. Seeds and matchups will be decided by the upcoming Oracle ITA Division I Men's Rankings released on Tuesday.
 
 
Results (in order of finish)
Doubles
No. 3: Hampton/Garner (UOP) def. Osorio/Rostami (USD) 6-3
No. 2: Hjorth/McCaig (UOP) def. Norfeldt/Schaber (USD) 6-3
 
No. 1: Holmgren/Gamerov (USD) vs. El Sallay/Kobayashi (UOP) 3-5 unfinished
 
Singles
No. 5: Marvin Schaber (USD) def. Toi Kobayashi (UOP) 6-2, 6-2
No. 4: David Norfeldt (USD) def. Nathan Hampton (UOP) 6-1, 6-3
No. 1: #52 August Holmgren (USD) def. #120 Philip Hjorth (UOP) 6-4, 6-2
No. 3: Joel Gamerov (USD) def. John Horoz Garner (UOP) 6-4, 6-3
 
No. 2: #58 Gui Osorio (USD) vs. Akram El Sallay (UOP) 6-1, 5-3 unfinished
No. 6: Armin Rostami (USD) vs. Coby McCaig (UOP) 6-4, 5-4 unfinished