SANTA CLARA, Calif. - Travelling to challenge their local rivals in Moraga, Calif. on Friday afternoon, the Broncos broke a four-match losing skid with a 4-3 victory over the Gaels from Saint Mary's College, capturing their first win in West Coast Conference play this season.

"I'm proud of how the guys competed today on the road against a local rival," said Head Coach Derek Mills. "They came ready to play and put forth a resounding performance to give the squad some confidence heading into the final matches of the season."

Santa Clara earned an early advantage in the dual match with a doubles point victory and furiously swept the first three matches of singles action to claim the victory in quick succession.  

Jumping back into the win column, the Broncos are now 6-11 on the year and 1-5 in conference action. Santa Clara will look to continue its winning momentum when it takes on the University of Pacific tomorrow afternoon at 1 p.m. in Stockton, Calif.

Serving up the match in doubles, Ilya Osintsev and Sam Bertam clinched their sixth win on the season with a 6-3 result against the Gaels' number one pairing. Saint Mary's responded to tie the match at 1-1 with a win of its own on Court 3. Deadlocked, Mikheil Khmiadashvili and Ashot Khacharyan provided the Broncos with the crucial doubles point victory after taking down Wil Martin and James Markiewicz by a score of 6-4.

The Broncos prolonged the momentum rolling into singles action. Khacharyan, a winner of three-straight matches, cruised to a 6-0, 6-1 victory against Samuel Bloore, clinching a team-high 16^th victory of the year in the process.

Right next door on Court 1, Osintsev pushed his winning streak to five-matches with a similar result competing against Arthur Weber. The lefty grabbed a 6-3 victory in the first set and finished off the No. 1 Gael competitor with a 6-2 performance in set number two.

Holding a 3-0 advantage, Bertram provided the winning touches on Court 4. The senior picked up his eighth victory of the season after dominating Jacob Lagman 6-2, 6-2.

After Santa Clara locked up the victory, three Broncos finished out their matches on Courts 3, 5, and 6 but all fell to the rival Gaels.

Santa Clara University vs. Saint Mary's College

Doubles | Order of Finish: 1, 3, 2

Singles | Order of Finish: 2, 1, 4, 6, 3, 5