Cameron Yong/HIGHLANDER
Cameron Yong/HIGHLANDER

Feb. 12, 2013
Tritons 4 – Highlanders 3

The blues continued for the UC Riverside men’s tennis team as the Highlanders (1-6) fell yet again in a close encounter against the UC San Diego Tritons, 4-3.

After notching a victory against Riverside City College last week, UCR came out of the blocks strong as the doubles pairing of Kevin Griffin and Marcus Vizcarra overcame tough opposition to secure a 8-6 win. Following suit, teammates Julian Ruffin and Calvin Ngo disposed UCSD’s tandem of Truong/Porutiu to earn the Highlanders the double point.

In singles the Tritons (2-2) came out aggressive, attacking early and were rewarded as UC San Diego won four of the six matches held.  UCR’s Luis Gastao edged out Kona Luu 7-6, 6-3 while Highlander Vizcarra defeated Porutiu 6-4, 6-2 giving the home team their only singles victories of the day.

The Highlanders, who slipped to 1-6 for the season, will need to start stringing together consistent wins if they are to compete in Big West conference matches, which begin in April.

Feb. 16, 2013
Highlanders 4 – Lumberjacks 3

Coming off of their sixth loss of the year, the UC Riverside men’s tennis team earned a hard fought win against Northern Arizona University, 4-3. The team has now won two of the their last three contests.

The formidable doubles team of Calvin Ngo and Julian Ruffin got UCR on the board first as they dismantled their opponents, 8-1. Simon Peters and Jimmy Roberts out-nerved the pairing of Robert Martin and Shaun Waters to secure a 8-5 victory and the doubles point for the Highlanders.

The singles proved to be crux of the match for the Highlander. UCR’s Roberts and Luis Gastao lost tightly contested matches. Ruffin for Riverside dropped the first set, but rallied back in the third to slide past Lumberjack Dominic Bermudez, 1-6, 6-4, 6-3.

Ngo’s match also went three sets but the Highlander eventually pulled out a 7-6, 1-6, 6-2 victory. Lastly Marcus Vizcarra won in straight sets, 6-3, 7-5, to give UCR its second win of the season.

Feb. 17, 2013
Wildcats 7 – Highlanders 0

The UC Riverside men’s tennis team finished its weekend play against the University of Arizona Wildcats, en route to an 0-7 loss.

In the doubles action the Wildcats defeated the pairs of Jimmy Roberts/Simon Peters 8-3 and Julian Ruffin/Calvin Ngo 8-1.

The singles play for Riverside did not have much success either, losing all six games. Roberts for Riverside fell to his opponent Giacomo Miccine 4-6, 1-6. Luis Gastao was defeated 4-6, 3-6 against Wildcat Kieren Thompson. Highlander Ruffin lost 4-6, 2-6 against Sumeet Shinde. Kevin Griffin fell to Naoki Takedo 3-6, 2-6. Ngo was defeated 2-6, 2-6 and Marcus Vizcarra lost two close ones 4-6, 7-5.

The Highlanders will now head to Los Angeles to play a neutral site match against Saint Mary’s on Saturday, Feb. 23.