By Zach DeMarcus
April 20, 2018
 
(INDIAN WELLS, Calif.) Westmont Men's Tennis (8-9) failed to defend their Golden State Athletic Conference Tournament Championship from last year as they fell to the Firestorm of Arizona Christian (18-6) by a score of 1-5.
 
Yesterday, Westmont head coach Mark Basham emphasized the importance of going up 2-1 in doubles play to start the match. The Warriors were unable to reach that goal as they would go down 1-2 after doubles. At ones, Enzzo Douillac and Jesse Tello took down Westmont's Christian Mathis and Miles Hale 8-3.
 
In the number two doubles, Alberto Lapiedra and Daniel Superlano defeated Westmont's Luke Whalen and John T. Joens by a close score of 8-6. Westmont was able to get on the board at threes where Jordan Strandness and Corey Stephens triumphed over Marcelo Balderrama and Santiago Galeffi 8-4.
 
Basham said, "I was super happy at number three. Corey and Jordan were 0-2 against Arizona's threes on the year. I'm happy because they have bonded so well as teammates. That at least got us to 1-2.
 
"We really needed to get up at the very least 2-1 from doubles. Our number ones didn't play their best – could have been a little more positive. Arizona played really well at ones. That set the tone."
 
Even though they were down 1-2, Westmont chose to fight instead of fold in their singles matches. Lapiedra took down Westmont's Mathis 6-2, 6-1 at twos. Whalen dropped his match to Arizona's Douillac 2-6, 4-6 – this left Arizona Christian needing just one more victory to clinch the GSAC Championship.
 
The Firestorm was able to get that fifth point at number five singles. Scott Wheeler defeated Strandness 7-5, 6-4 to give Arizona Christian the GSAC Championship. At threes, Joens won his first set and was going to head to a third. Stephens was in a third set in his match at the six position.
 
Basham added, "What I really appreciated was how the guys continued to fight in the singles. Luke came back in the second to get up 4-1. Corey won the second after losing the first. Jordan got up in the second but lost that set. Miles was up for a bit before his opponent came back. There were opportunities and that's really what you want. It's a much better feeling for a coach when you know your players are competing and giving it there very best.
 
"This Arizona Christian team was very ready, motivated, talented, and they're a deep team. I told the guys I'm proud of their effort and how well they fought. If we do go to nationals we need to improve on being more aggressive as a team as well as being more positive and spirited.
 
"I was super happy for the opportunity today. I think our guys made the most of it. Arizona Christian is a very talented team. We had to play lights out and be really optimistic," finished Basham.
 
The Warriors will now head to the Ojai Tournament next weekend. That tournament is being held from Friday through Sunday.