April 23, 2006
Moraga, Calif. - The Santa Clara Broncos were upset on the final day of the West Coast Conference Championships by fourth-seeded San Francisco this afternoon on the campus of Saint Mary's College. Entering the three-day tournament as the third seed, the Broncos were unable to overcome the loss of the doubles point and dropped three singles matches, despite the best efforts of A.J. Kerin, who scored the lone point of the contest.
"It is unfortunate to finish fourth after doing well throughout the year, but I think that's what the season is all about - to be able to convert in tough situations. San Francisco did a great job of redeeming themselves from earlier in the year," said Husack following the defeat. "I think we are a better team for the experience. It is tough to take the loss in the short term, but we'll be able to take a lot from this loss to help us for the future."
Santa Clara closes out the season with an overall record of 14-15 and a 6-3 mark in the WCC. With the season now complete, the Broncos will now focus their attention to this Saturday's Bronco Pro-Am Tennis Tournament. For more information, please call head coach George Husack at (408) 554-4069 or email him at ghusack@scu.edu.
In doubles, Court 2 got off the court first, as Jan Macek and Bobby Rasmussen beat Greg Horn and Fernando Rodriguez 8-1. However, San Francisco toughed it out and took the remaining doubles contests to capture the doubles point. Falko Huttneberger and Thong Tu took out Brian Brogan and Tommy Hicks 8-2 at the No. 3 spot, while Matt Berry and Korbinian Kramer defeated Kevin McQuaid and Blane Shields 8-5 at the No. 1 spot to clinch the early 1-0 lead. McQuaid and Shields were down 3-4 in their match, but three consecutive breaks of serve tied it up at 5-5. However, Berry and Kramer were able to win the final three games to take the victory.
Santa Clara rebounded from its early deficit and played well in singles in the early going. However, San Francisco battled back and never took themselves out of the match. Tu defeated Rasmussen 6-3, 6-2 at the No. 4 spot to have his team go up 2-0 and Tommy Hicks was unable to hold a first-set lead, as he was the next off the court after dropping a 1-6, 6-4, 6-1 decision to Rodriguez on Court 5. Kerin earned the Broncos' first point after he won in straight sets over Greg Horn 6-2, 6-3 on Court 6, though the match ended after Berry outlasted Macek in three sets at the No. 1 position. Macek was up 2-0 in the third set, but Berry won the remaining six games to take the set and the match.
San Francisco 4, Santa Clara 1
Doubles (San Francisco wins the doubles point)
1. Matt Berry/Korbinian Kramer (USF) def. Kevin McQuaid/Blane Shields (SCU) 8-5
2. Jan Macek/Bobby Rasmussen (SCU) def. Greg Horn/Fernando Rodriguez (USF) 8-1
3. Falko Huttneberger/Thong Tu (USF) def. Brian Brogan/Tommy Hicks (SCU) 8-2
Singles
1. Matt Berry (USF) def. Jan Macek (SCU) 6-2, 3-6, 6-2
2. Falko Huttneberger (USF) vs. Brian Brogan (SCU) no result
3. Korbinian Kramer (USF) vs. Kevin McQuaid (SCU) no result
4. Thong Tu (USF) def. Bobby Rasmussen (SCU) 6-3, 6-2
5. Fernando Rodriguez (USF) def. Tommy Hicks (SCU) 1-6, 6-4, 6-1
6. A.J. Kerin (SCU) def. Greg Horn (USF) 6-2, 6-3