LA JOLLA, Calif. – The UC San Diego Men's Tennis team got off to a tough start in conference play as they fell to UC Santa Barbara Sunday morning. The Gauchos earned a 4-0 victory over the Tritons in The Big West opener for both sides.
 
This match puts the Tritons' record at 4-10 overall  (0-1 Big West) and UC Santa Barbara at 11-1 (1-0 Big West).
 
INSIDE THE MATCH
Final Score: UC San Diego 0, UC Santa Barbara 4
Team Records: UC San Diego 4-10 (0-1 BW); UC Santa Barbara 11-1 (1-0 BW)
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
The visiting Gauchos came out strong against the host Tritons this morning at Northview Tennis Courts. During the doubles matches, both Nos. 1 and 2 came to a swift conclusion. Daniel Traxler and Pelayo Rodriguez took their first loss at No. 1 since becoming partners. UC Santa Barbara ultimately clinched the doubles point with a victory at the second position, leaving No. 3 unfinished.
 
The Tritons also fell short during the singles matches, with 3 early wins going to UC Santa Barbara to take the victory. Jett Cole put up a tough fight at No. 4, losing set 1 5-7 to opponent Lucca Liu. Pelayo Rodiguez continued to be a force for the Tritons, sending No. 5 to 5-7 in the first set. His match, No. 3, and No. 6 were left unfinished as the Gauchos clinched 3 points to clinch the win over the Tritons.
 
RESULTS
Doubles

1. Phillip Jordan/ Pablo Masjuan (UC Santa Barbara) def. Daniel Traxler/ Pelayo Rodriguez (UC San Diego) 6-3
2. Gianluca Brunkow/ Lucca Liu (UC Santa Barbara) def. Phillip Lan/ William Lan (UC San Diego) 6-2
3. Luka Mrsic/ Conrad Brown (UC Santa Barbara) vs. Joseph Teh/ Diogo Tinoco (UC San Diego) 5-2, unf.

Order of Finish: 1, 2
 
Singles

1. Pablo Masjuan (UC Santa Barbara) def. Phillip Lan (UC San Diego) 6-2, 6-3
2. Phillip Jordan (UC Santa Barbara) def. Daniel Traxler (UC San Diego) 6-1, 6-3
3. Diogo Tinoco (UC San Diego) vs. Gianluca Brunkow (UC Santa Barbara) 4-6, 2-5, unf.
4. Lucca Liu (UC Santa Barbara) def. Jett Cole (UC San Diego) 7-5, 6-0
5. Pelayo Rodriguez (UC San Diego) vs. Conrad Brown (UC Santa Barbara) 5-7, unf.
6. Charles Qian (UC San Diego) vs. Kai Brady (UC Santa Barbara) 1-6, 1-3, unf.

 
Order of Finish: 2, 4, 1
 
TRITON TIDBITS

• Daniel Traxler and Pelayo Rodriguez had their two-match win streak snapped in doubles action.
• The Tritons are now 0-3 vs. UC Santa Barbara since joining The Big West prior to the 2020-21 season.

UP NEXT
The UC San Diego Men's Tennis team will host UC Davis tomorrow, Monday, March 6th, at 12 PM for their second match of Big West play. Next weekend, the Tritons will remain at home for a non-conference match against Boston University on Saturday, March 11th, at 11 AM.
 
About UC San Diego Athletics
After two decades as one of the most successful programs in NCAA Division II, the UC San Diego intercollegiate athletics program has begun a new era as a member of the Big West Conference in NCAA Division I. The 23-sport Tritons earned 30 team and nearly 150 individual national championships during its time in Divisions II and III and helped guide 1,400 scholar-athletes to All-America honors. A total of 83 Tritons have earned Academic All-America honors, while 38 have garnered prestigious NCAA Post Graduate Scholarships. UC San Diego scholar-athletes exemplify the academic ideals of one of the world's preeminent institutions, graduating at an average rate of 90 percent, the highest rate among public institutions in Division I or II. For more information on the Tritons, visit UCSDtritons.com or follow UC San Diego Athletics on social media @UCSDtritons.