MALIBU, CA – In a four-hour battle for first place in the WCC standings, the No. 30 University of San Diego men's tennis team edged No. 35 Pepperdine on the road, 4-3.
 
San Diego earned the tight doubles point, with Marvin Schaber/Lambert Ruland earning a 6-4 win at No. 3 followed by a 7-6 margin at No. 1 from Iiro Vasa/Sacchitt Sharrma against the No. 49 ranked duo in the country. At No. 2, the match was tied 6-6 before going unfinished.
 
In singles, Vasa earned a 6-4, 6-4 victory at No. 1 to put USD up 2-1. Sharrma later put USD up 3-2 with a win at No. 3 in three sets, 6-3, 2-6, 6-3.
 
After Pepperdine tied the match at 3-3, it came down to freshman Neo Niedner at No. 6. The Waves quickly took the first set, but Niedner battled back to clinch the overall win for the Toreros, 1-6, 7-6, 6-2.

"Great win for the USD program this afternoon," said head coach Ryan Keckley. "A lot of history between these two teams throughout the years, including my 11 years as a Torero. The last two matches have been four hours each, and I expect our next matches in the weeks and years to come to be the same. Pepperdine is well-coached and an experienced team, so to take the win on the road in front of their home crowd says a lot about this young squad. Very proud of the group effort and the fight the boys showed today to get this win!"
 
San Diego improves to 14-6 (6-1 WCC), and will travel to LMU on Sunday.  
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
 
#30 San Diego 4, #35 Pepperdine 3
 
Singles competition
1. #84 Vasa, Iiro (USD) def. #103 Zeitvogel,Tim (PEPPM) 6-4, 6-4
2. #63 Jonge,Daniel De (PEPPM) def. Tarvet, Oliver (USD) 6-1, 7-6 (7-3)
3. Sharrma, Sacchitt (USD) def. Vasa,Eero (PEPPM) 6-3, 2-6, 6-3
4. Fellin,Pietro (PEPPM) def. Klaassen, Stian (USD) 3-6, 6-4, 7-5
5. Homberg,Maxi (PEPPM) def. Schaber, Marvin (USD) 6-2, 6-3
6. Niedner, Neo (USD) def. Halldin,Linus (PEPPM) 1-6, 7-6 (7-2), 6-2
 
Doubles competition
1. Sharrma, Sacchitt/Vasa, Iiro (USD) def. #49 Jonge,Daniel De/Zeitvogel,Tim (PEPPM) 7-6 (7-1)
2. Homberg,Maxi/Vasa,Eero (PEPPM) vs. Klaassen, Stian/Tarvet, Oliver (USD) 6-6, unfinished
3. Ruland, Lambert/Schaber, Marvin (USD) def. Fellin,Pietro/Halldin,Linus (PEPPM) 6-4
 
Match Notes:
San Diego 14-6, 6-1 WCC; National ranking #30
Pepperdine 13-8, 5-1 WCC; National ranking #35
Order of finish: Doubles (3,1); Singles (5,1,2,3,4,6)
 
UP NEXT
San Diego will remain on the road to face LMU on Sunday at 11:00 AM.