SAN DIEGO – 11^th-ranked USD men's tennis coasted to a 4-1 victory over a talented California Golden Bears team on Super Bowl Sunday at Hogan Tennis Center.
 
"We've put a strong emphasis this week on elevating our practice standards, and we saw that intensity and competitiveness carry over today," 11^th-year head coach Ryan Keckley said.
 
San Diego dominated Cal from the get-go on the USD home courts. To start doubles play, the Dutch duo of Stian Klaassen and Manvydas Balciunas posted a bagel with a 6-0 sweep on court two. In a battle of ranked neighbors on main court, No. 69 Lambert Ruland and Adrien Berrut took care of the doubles point with a 6-3 win over Cal's 70^th-ranked pair.
 
The Toreros didn't let up off the gas in singles, beginning with Klaassen the spark plug. After not dropping a game in doubles, the ITA No. 116, redshirt senior only dropped two at No. 3 singles 6-1, 6-1 to double the San Diego lead.
 
After Cal got a point back in the dual from court two, senior Torero Neo Niedner responded as the German international continued his winning ways with a pair of 6-2 set victories.
 
Then, it was the senior captain and multiple-time All-American and WCC Player of the Year Oliver Tarvet who returned to the lineup and clinched the match on main court vs. former WCC foe Tiago Silva. Tarvet found himself down 1-4 in the second set but rebounded to rally off five straight games for the set, match and dual victory.
 
"I'm proud of our mental toughness, but we need to keep improving our overall quality," said Keckley.
 
Up Next
In two weeks' time, San Diego (6-2) hits the road for just the second time this season, taking on another national talent in UC Santa Barbara on Saturday, Feb. 21, at 2 p.m.
 
"These next two weeks will be an important stretch for this team and our goals this season."
 
Results
#11 San Diego 4, California 1
 
Doubles
1. #69 Lambert Ruland/Adrien Berrut (USD) def. #70 Tiago Silva/Timofey Stepanov (CAL) 6-3
2. Stian Klaassen/Manvydas Balciunas (USD) def. Andrea Meduri/Fryderyk Lechno-Wasiutyski (CAL) 6-0
3. Oliver Tarvet/Vincent Marysko (USD) vs. Alex Aney/Leonardo Cattaneo (CAL) 4-3, unfinished
 
Singles
1. #38 Oliver Tarvet (USD) def. Tiago Silva (CAL) 6-2, 6-4
2. Fryderyk Lechno-Wasiutyski (CAL) def. Vincent Marysko (USD-M) 6-3, 6-2
3. #103 Manvydas Balciunas (USD) vs. Timofey Stepanov (CAL) 6-4, 4-4, unfinished
4. Stian Klaassen (USD) def. Andrea Meduri (CAL) 6-1, 6-1
5. Neo Niedner (USD) def. Bernardo Munk Mesa (CAL) 6-2, 6-2
6. Adrien Berrut (USD) vs. Paris Pouatcha (CAL) 4-6, 3-4, unfinished
 
Match Notes:
California 5-5
San Diego 6-2; National ranking #11
Order of finish: Doubles (2,1); Singles (4,2,5,1)