By Tim Heiduk
March 9, 2020
 
(GLENDALE, Ariz.) Westmont men's tennis (2-6, 2-3 GSAC) responded to a narrow 3-4 loss on Friday to Ottawa (Ariz.) by beating Arizona Christian on Saturday, 4-0, in Golden State Athletic Conference action.
 
On Friday against Ottawa (3-6, 2-2), the Spirit began the match by winning the point available in doubles, which ultimately proved to be the difference between the two sides.
 
"We really had a very good crack at pulling the doubles' point out and that could've proved the difference for us," Westmont head coach Mark Basham said. "We didn't capitalize in the doubles. We really could've and should've won at number two. We were up 5-1 and had multiple match points along the way, but lost it eventually in a tiebreaker.
 
"It didn't really matter when it got to the tiebreaker because we'd already lost at number one doubles and lost at number three. At number three, we had actually had multiple match points too, a couple in the tiebreaker and a couple before that too. It was tough to lose the doubles' point."
 
The two teams then split the six matches in singles, allowing the Spirit to win the match by a narrow 4-3 margin.
 
"We won three out of the six singles," Basham said. "I was happy to see our guys win at four, five and six. It was a good win for Ryan (Chung) at number four."
 
At number four, Chung responded to losing the first by winning the next two, taking the match 4-6, 6-1, 6-2. Sebastian Vethan defeated Samuel Murphy at number five, 6-0, 6-3. Abraham Pauta sealed his match at number six with a 6-3, 6-4 victory over Max Woodhead.
 
Then on Saturday, Westmont left Arizona with a 4-0 sweep of Arizona Christian (1-5, 1-3).
 
After the Warriors lost at number one doubles, Benjamin Saito and Vethan won 7-5 at number two before Chung and Trevor Stephens were credited with a win by default at number three.
 
"Number two doubles got tight down the stretch," Basham said. "Fortunately our guys were able to hit a clutch volley to win it and that gave us the doubles' point because they didn't have a number three doubles."
 
In singles, Vethan and Pauta were credited with wins by default, meaning the Warriors only needed one more victory to clinch the match. Chung made sure of that, winning 6-1, 6-1 against Philipp Weise.
 
"Ryan Chung won again, which was great at number four," Basham said. "He won pretty decisively, so I'm happy for Ryan winning singles Friday and Saturday. He's our captain and our senior, so that was neat."
 
Matthew Alleman was leading 6-1, 2-3 against Jesse Miritello when the match was called.
 
The team returns to GSAC action on Saturday with a home match against Marymount. First serve is scheduled for noon.