MOBILE, Ala. — The season came to an end for Westmont Men’s Tennis (10-10) in the quarterfinals of the NAIA National Championship. The eighth-ranked Warriors fell 5-1 to top-ranked Fresno Pacific (19-1) at the Mobile Tennis Courts in Mobile, Alabama.
The Warriors’ only win came at number two doubles where Mattias Neuman and Diego Almeida earned an 8-4 victory over Denny Fafek and Jose Hilla.
“I felt like we completed well,” said Neuman who won three of four matches at the tournament. “We won our match yesterday easily and were up 6-1 today. It will be a good memory to take with me from this tournament.”
At number one doubles, Carlos Lima and Bryan Cox fell 8-4 to Xavier Smith and Alex Gonzalez while at number three, Arthur Kalayjian and Tiago Hayashi were swept 8-0 by Martin Vaisse and Maxine Adam.
“Getting to nationals is what we have worked for,” said Mattias after today’s match. “We are finally here and are able to compete with the best. It feels good for all of us. We have known we are this good, but to get that affirmation is big. All of us have enjoyed being here and it is a good final thing to do as a team before we all go off to different things.”
Leading 2-1 after doubles play, Fresno Pacific needed just three matches to advance to the semifinals. Unfortunately for the Warriors, the Sunbirds picked up three wins before Westmont could notch a victory. Under tournament rules, play ends when a team reaches five points.
Fresno received its first singles victory when Neuman, down 5-2 in the first set, was forced to resign due to a recurring problem with cramping.
“I knew coming to nationals that I had this health problem,” said Neuman, “I have had to get used to not playing at the level where I want to be.”
Next off the courts was Kalayjian playing at number six against Hilla. Kalayjian lost by a score of 6-3, 6-0. The match concluded when Cox was defeated by Gonzales 6-4, 6-0 at number two.
Despite the loss, Head Coach Mark Basham was appreciative of the teams’ effort both during the season and during today’s match
“This season has been a real blessing for me,” said Basham. “This being my first year (as head coach), I had a lot to learn. I really care for these guys so much, both individually and as a team. In a lot of respects, we peaked at a good time here. The guys played really well. Fresno is a great team and I like the fact that in today’s match we were still battling. Tiago came back in the second set and Diego was deep in the second. Carlos won his first set and was doing well. I love how the guys battled all year. I think I learned every bit as much from them as they learned from me. Hopefully there will be many more years ahead.”
Neuman also expressed gratitude for this year’s team.
“The team spirit has been very good,” said Neuman. “The Brazilians are always in a good mood, always joking and lifting our spirits. Arthur is a great teammate, always fighting, always competing. Bryan is such a nice guy and a good captain who helps us out with everything. Kent (Stormans) also helps us out with everything. I couldn’t be happier with my teammates.”
NAIA National Tournament Quarterfinals,
Fresno Pacific 5, Westmont 1
Singles
#1 – Carlos Sachs Cirne Lima (WC) vs.Xavier Smith (FPU) 7-6 (6), 3-2 DNF
#2 – Alex Gonzalez (FPU) def. Bryan Cox (WC) 6-4, 6-0
#3 – Tiago Hayashi (WC) vs.Martin Vaisse (FPU) 2-6, 5-4 DNF
#4 – Diego Neves De Almeida (WC) vs.Denny Fafek (FPU) 1-6, 6-5 DNF
#5 – Maxime Adam (FPU) def. Hans Mattias Neuman (WC) 5-2 ret.
#6 – Jose Hilla (FPU) def. Arthur Kalayjian (WC) 6-3, 6-0
Doubles
#1 – Xavier Smith /Alex Gonzalez (FPU) def. Carlos Sachs Cirne Lima / Bryan Cox (WC) 8-4
#2 – Diego Neves De Almeida / Hans Mattias Neuman (WC) def. Denny Fafek/Jose Hilla (FPU) 8-4
#3 – Martin Vaisse /Maxine Adam (FPU) def. Aaron Cooke / Tiago Hayashi (WC) 8-0
