Utah State
No. 61 Mustangs Complete Comeback in 4-3 Win Over No. 71 Utah State
3/8/2015 12:00:00 AM | Men's Tennis
SAN LUIS OBISPO, Calif. – After falling behind twice, the 61st-ranked Cal Poly men's tennis rallied to beat No. 71 Utah State, 4-3 on Sunday at Mustang Courts. With the match tied at three-apiece – freshman Axel Damiens again provided the heroics – something he has been making a habit of lately. Head coach Nick Carless admitted that different players continue to step up for Cal Poly during its victories.
"We have a blue-collar team and they proved it again with another come-from-behind victory," Carless said.
The sophomore combination of Ben Donovan and Corey Pang won their eighth consecutive doubles match, a 6-1 decision over Karan Salwan and Matt Sweet, providing the Mustangs the early momentum. Utah State then grabbed the initial point by capturing the next two doubles matches.
Donovan continued to shine at No. 1 singles – moving to 9-4 overall this season – by ousting Jack Swindells in straight sets, 6-1, 6-2, which tied the match at one. After the Aggies took their second lead, sophomore Garrett Auproux completed a three-set comeback, 2-6, 6-3, 6-1 at No. 2 singles to knot the match at two.
Pang provided Cal Poly its first lead of the afternoon with a 6-2, 6-7, 6-4 victory over Marcus Fritz. The sophomore improved to 5-3 at the No. 3 singles spot this season. Utah State, though, grabbed then next singles point to equal the match at three apiece with freshman Axel Damiens still on the No. 6 court.
For the third time during the last six Cal Poly victories, Damiens provided the match-clinching point after a 3-6, 6-4, 6-3 comeback win over Sebastian Schneider.
"Garrett and Axel really stepped up and fought on every point today," Carless explained. "They both lost the first set and rebounded to play amazing tennis in capturing the win."
It was the first time this season that Utah State lost a match when taking the doubles point from an opponent.
Cal Poly (9-5) concludes its four match home-stand when it entertains No. 67 SMU at 1 p.m. Friday, March 13.
Admission at Mustang Courts is free.
Utah State vs Cal Poly
March 8, 2015 at San Luis Obispo, Calif. (Mustang Courts)
#61 Cal Poly 4, #71 Utah State 3
Singles
1. Ben Donovan (CP) def. Jack Swindells (USU) 6-1, 6-2
2. Garrett Auproux (CP) def. Dennis Baumgartner (USU) 2-6, 6-3, 6-1
3. Corey Pang (CP) def. Marcus Fritz (USU) 6-2, 6-7, 6-4
4. Karan Salwan (USU) def. Naveen Beasley (CP) 7-5, 4-6, 6-3
5. Jaime Barajas (USU) def. Lucas Lesoeur (CP) 7-5, 6-3
6. Axel Damiens (CP) def. Sebastian Schneider (USU) 3-6, 6-4, 6-3
Doubles
1. Corey Pang/Ben Donovan (CP) def. Karan Salwan/Matt Sweet (USU) 6-1
2. Dennis Baumgartner/Marcus Fritz (USU) def. Garrett Auproux/Devin Barber (CP) 7-5
3. Sebastian Schneider/Jack Swindells (USU) def. Lucas Lesoeur/Karl Enander (CP) 7-6
