IRVINE, Calif. - The UC San Diego Men's Tennis team ended their season on an unfortunate note on Sunday afternoon, with UC Irvine taking a decisive home victory over the Tritons. Although the team put up a solid effort to change the tide during singles following the Anteaters' doubles-point win, they were unable to overcome the momentum of their opponent.
 
Freshman Diogo Tinoco continued his strong play for UC San Diego (7-17 overall, 0-6 Big West), winning in straight sets on court three. UC Irvine enters next week's Big West tournament with an overall record of 12-7 (5-1).
 
INSIDE THE MATCH
Final Score: UC San Diego 1, UC Irvine 4
Team Records: UC San Diego 7-17(Big West 0-6); UC Irvine 12-7(Big West 5-1)
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Tritons had a rough go against UC Irvine this afternoon, with challenging matchups and tough battles in every match.
 
During the doubles matches, William Lan and Eric Silberman(No. 2) put up an admirable fight before being cut short. UC Irvine clinched the doubles point swiftly to put themselves on track for success.
 
The Tritons remained determined, though, logging a few good performances in the singles matches. Phillip Lan, at No. 2, managed to send the first set of his match to a tie-breaker but ultimately fell to opponent Brandon Park. Diogo Tinoco took the only Triton victory of the day at No. 3, winning his match convincingly in two sets, 6-2, 6-3.
 
Pelayo Rodriguez and Jett Cole were able to withstand their opponents' efforts, but their matches were left unfinished as UC Irvine took three quick singles victories to clinch the match 4-1.
 
RESULTS
Doubles
 
1. Noah Zamora/ Brandon Park (UCI) def. Daniel Traxler/ Pelayo Rodriguez (UCSD) 6-4
2. Lawee Sherif/ Thomas Smart (UCI) vs. William Lan/ Eric Silberman (UCSD) 5-4, unfinished
3. Matthew Sah/ Rithvik Krishna (UCI) def. Diogo Tinoco/ Joseph Teh (UCSD) 6-4
 
Order of Finish: 1, 3
 
Singles
 
1. Noah Zamora (UCI) def. Daniel Traxler (UCSD) 6-2, 6-3
2. Brandon Park (UCI) def. Phillip Lan (UCSD) 7-6(8), 6-2
3. Diogo Tinoco (UCSD) def. Rithvik Krishna (UCI) 6-2, 6-3
4. Ali Amiri (UCI) vs. Pelayo Rodriguez (UCSD) 7-5, 4-1, unfinished
5. Thomas Smart (UCI) def. Charles Qian (UCSD) 6-3, 6-2
6. Lawee Sherif (UCI) vs. Jett Cole (UCSD) 3-6, 7-5, 2-0, unfinished
 
Order of Finish: 1, 5, 3, 2
 
A QUOTE FROM COACH TIMMER WILLING
"We had opportunities with breaks on two doubles courts, ultimately won by UCI. We came out and had leads in 4 singles matches and were looking for the comeback, but UCI was competing hard to maintain ties for first in the Big West.
 
"We are in there with the best teams and are mentally there if we begin to believe in ourselves. We will be better next year."
 
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.