SAN DIEGO - San Diego men's tennis (2-1) fought hard but came up short versus Arizona State (6-1) in a 5-2 defeat. 

"We need to be in more of these kinds of battles. Hats off to ASU as they played the bigger points better than we did", said coach Ryan Keckley. "We found ourselves in positions to have success in most spots , but they have been in those kinds of wars this year and we haven't". 

The Toreros started off strong, taking the doubles point with a 6-1 by August Holmgren and David Norfeldt and a 6-2 win by Nico Borter and Sacchit Sharrma. 

Arizona State took control in singles play with wins on courts 4, 3 and 6 to give them a 3-1 lead. The Sun Devils clinched the match with a 7-5, 6-4 win on court 2.

The Toreros salvaged a point with a 6-3, 3-6, 6-4 win by Holmgren on court 1. 

"We have to play our identity when the moment arrives and be brave enough to own it for better or worse". 

San Diego will look to bounce back tomorrow with their conference opener versus Saint Mary's. The match is slated to begin at 1 p.m. 

Results (in order of finish) 

Doubles
2. Nathan Ponwith/George Stoupe (ASU) def. Marvin Schaber/Ilias Zimmermann (USD) 6-1 
1. August Holmgren/David Norfeldt (USD) def. #14 Andrea Bolla/Tim Ruehl (ASU) 6-1
3. Nico Borter/Sacchitt Sharrma (USD) def. Makey Rakotomalala/Tom LeBlanc (ASU) 6-2 

Singles
4. Andrea Bolla (ASU) def. Ilias Zimmermann (USD) 6-3, 6-3
3. Makey Rakotomalala (ASU) def. David Norfeldt (USD) 6-4, 6-4
6. Christian Lerby (ASU) def. Marvin Schaber (USD) 6-3, 6-2
2. Tim Ruehl (ASU) def. Nico Borter (USD) 7-5, 6-4
1. #60 August Holmgren (USD) def. Nathan Ponwith (ASU) 6-3, 3-6, 6-4
5. George Stoupe (ASU) def. Sacchitt Sharrma (USD) 7-5, 4-6, 6-4