UNLV
No. 64 Cal Poly Wins Comeback Thriller at No. 72 UNLV, 4-3
3/27/2015 12:00:00 AM | Men's Tennis
LAS VEGAS, Nev. – The 64th-ranked Cal Poly men's tennis team produced something on Friday afternoon that has only occurred once this season – a win on 72nd-ranked UNLV's home court. Cal Poly finished off a thrilling, 4-3 comeback victory over the Rebels after freshman Axel Damiens (pictured) outlasted Alexandr Cozbinov (6-1, 6-7, 6-4) at No. 5 for the clincher.
UNLV hadn't lost at home since Feb. 14, a string of six consecutive wins and was 9-1 in Las Vegas before Friday's defeat. Cal Poly head coach Nick Carless was thrilled with his team's play against UNLV and was impressed by the way they responded with sophomore Garrett Auproux missing from the lineup.
"With Garrett out of the lineup, all of our guys stepped up during the three-and-a-half hour battle," Carless said.
Cal Poly senior Devin Barber and Damiens combined on a 6-2 victory over Denys Pume and Cozbinov at the No. 3 doubles position, while sophomores Ben Donovan and Corey Pang beat UNLV's Ace Matias and Adam Gage-Brown, 7-5 at the first position to collect the doubles point for the Mustangs. Carless has been impressed with the way Barber has been playing lately in doubles, and on Friday his senior provided a huge lift. It was also the first time Barber played alongside Damiens this season.
"I can't say enough about the way Devin has been playing in doubles over the past two matches," Carless replied. "His game has risen to new heights on the serve and his return game is really solid. He is hitting his spots on the big points and as a coach, I cannot be more proud of him."
UNLV, though, would battle back to take a 2-1 lead after singles wins at No. 6 by Ruben Alberts over Karl Enander (6-3, 6-2) and Ace Matias over Ben Donovan (6-3, 6-4) at No. 1. Pang would then provide the Mustangs with an equalizing point after his three-set, clutch comeback over Plume (4-6, 6-2, 6-2) in the second position. It was Pang's first victory in the second position this season and he improved to 12-11 overall.
Deadlocked at two apiece, Cal Poly senior Naveen Beasley used another crafty comeback to oust Adam Gage-Brown (6-3, 5-7, 6-4) at No. 4, providing the Mustangs with a 3-2 advantage. Between Damiens, Pang and Beasley, Carless admitted the three are playing some of their best tennis of the season. Beasley won his third match at No. 4 (3-5) this season.
Jakob Amilon beat Cal Poly's Lucas Lesoeur in three sets (3-6, 6-3, 6-3) in the third position, setting the table for Damiens' heroics at No. 6. Against Cozbinov, Damiens took the first set, 6-1, at No. 5, then dropped the second, 7-6, which forced the match-deciding third. Damiens outlasted Cozbinov, 6-4 to clinch the win for the Mustangs and hand the Rebels a rare home loss. It was the freshman's first start in the fifth position this season, as he improved to 10-7 overall.
With Big West Conference play starting next week, Carless is excited about the way his team responded during two tough road victories over the past four days.
"Another ranked win on the road, this time against a well-coached UNLV team," Carless added. "This win puts us in a great position going into conference play next week."
Cal Poly (11-7) opens Big West play at 1 p.m. on Monday versus Hawaii at Mustang Courts. Admission is free.
Singles
1. Ace Matias (UNLV) def. Ben Donovan (CP) 6-3, 6-4
2. Corey Pang (CP) def. Denys Pume (UNLV) 4-6, 6-2, 6-2
3. Jakob Amilon (UNLV) def. Lucas Lesoeur (CP) 3-6, 6-3, 6-3
4. Naveen Beasley (CP) def. Adam Gage-Brown (UNLV) 6-3, 5-7, 6-4
5. Axel Damiens (CP) def. Alexandr Cozbinov (UNLV) 6-1, 6-7, 6-4
6. Ruben Alberts (UNLV) def. Karl Enander (CP) 6-3, 6-2
Doubles
1. Ben Donovan/Corey Pang (CP) def. Ace Matias/Adam Gage-Brown (UNLV) 7-5
2. Jakob Amilon/Ruben Alberts (UNLV) vs. Karl Enander/Lucas Lesoeur (CP) unfinished
3. Devin Barber/Axel Damiens (CP) def. Denys Pume/Alexandr Cozbinov (UNLV) 6-2
