SANTA CLARA, Calif. – Needing a response after a loss in Friday's West Coast conference opener, Santa Clara men's tennis came through with a 4-1 victory against its local rival Saint Mary's College on Saturday afternoon at the Degheri Tennis Center.
The Broncos (7-8, 1-1) dropped just two games in doubles before finishing off the Gaels (5-10, 0-2) with three dominating straight set singles decisions.
"I think it's really big for our confidence because this is the most important time of the year going into conference," said freshman Kamran Khan.
Khan helped break Santa Clara's two-match losing skid with the clincher on Court 4. Despite being down in a 1-0 hole to start his singles match, the freshman turned on his forehand and backhand, eventually cruising in the next six games to win the first set. Once again down 1-0 in the second, Khan regained composure and found his rhythm. He smashed a return to break his opponents serve and grab the 5-2 lead before taking home a victory in the next game.
"Personally, I was just really determined," he said. "I turned my attitude around to be mentally stronger. I really played with a lot of attack, especially off my forehand."
Before Khan's victory and a Santa Clara loss on Court 6, Connor Garnett and Andrew Gu got the ball rolling for the Broncos in singles. Garnett, playing at the No. 3 spot, fell in just one game all afternoon en route to a 6-0, 6-1 rout of James Markiewicz. Dialed in offensively all match long and benefitting from Markiewicz's return errors, Garnett captured his team-leading 11th victory of the year.
"I wanted to make sure I was going to play aggressive and do the best I can," he said. "I was just feeling everything."
Next door on Court 2, Gu broke Nash Vollenweider's serve to take a 3-1 lead in the first. The Santa Clara freshman would not look back. After a 6-2 victory in the first frame, Gu ratcheted up his intensity and continued to paint the corners with precise returns on his way to a 6-1 win.
The Broncos were able to set the winning tone early with their performance in doubles. Garnett and Robert Seby led the way with a 6-0 rout of the Gaels' No. 1 pairing. Both freshmen consistently hit return shots out of the reach of Thomas Alexander Hunt and Markiewicz to take advantage throughout. Despite being down 30-15 in the sixth game, the Bronco duo maintained their poise and rallied to complete the sweep.
Two courts over, Gu and Max Heerinckx had it working against Jacob Lagman and Manuel De Luis Lamelas. Already commanding a 3-1 lead, the Bronco pairing broke serve to lead 4-1. Quality returns from Heerinckx at the net and Gu's serve powered the Broncos to a 6-2 victory and the doubles point clincher.
"(Gu) served really well and played well on the baseline, good returns," said Heerinckx. "That made it easy for me. I just felt really well today at net. I had some good looks and I was able to really close in."
With a victory in hand, the Broncos will look to make it two in a row when they host San Diego State University this Wednesday at noon.
"I think winning is a habit," said Garnett. "I think once we start getting that one win, we can get to maybe two wins and just keep it going and keep the momentum rolling.
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