SANTA CLARA, Calif. - The Santa Clara men's tennis team came back from a 3-1 deficit as Christian Lerby recorded the match clincher at 3-all in the thrilling 4-3 league victory over No. 65-ranked Gonzaga on Saturday at the Degheri Tennis Center.
Lerby beat Arthus Bassetiere 4-6, 6-3, 6-4 on court three to complete the comeback for the Broncos. Santa Clara (11-7, 3-2 WCC) won both its West Coast Conference matches over the weekend and won back-to-back contests for the first time since Feb. 17-18. They now sit in third place in the WCC standings behind San Diego (5-0 WCC) and Pepperdine (3-0 WCC).
Just seconds prior to Lerby's triumph, Arthur Neuhaus took down Oliver Andersson in three sets 6-2, 5-7, 6-3 on court two. His win was preceded by Jack Pulliam's victory on court six, which also went the three set distance, 2-6, 6-4, 6-0 over Leon Roider that got the ball rolling for SCU who trailed 3-1 at the time.
Gonzaga (7-8, 2-2 WCC) got off to a strong start taking the two doubles matches with identical 6-2 scores to go up 1-0.
Mann Shah evened the match when he won on court four against Matthew Hollingworth 6-2, 6-4. However, Gonzaga took the next two singles matches on courts one and five before the Broncos stormed back.
Broncos trailed 3-1 against No. 65 Gonzaga but Neuhaus evens the match at 3-all on court 2. pic.twitter.com/PF4204gxcx
— Santa Clara Men's Tennis (@SCUMTennis) April 1, 2023
Lerby with the 3-all match clincher over No.65 Gonzaga to complete the comeback victory! pic.twitter.com/vu4KXSlF28
— Santa Clara Men's Tennis (@SCUMTennis) April 1, 2023
NEXT UP
The Broncos travel to play Weber State on Friday.
RESULTS
Santa Clara 4, #65 Gonzaga 3
April 1, 2023 at Santa Clara, Calif. (Degheri Tennis Center)
Singles competition
1. Sasha Trkulja (GU) def. Guillaume Dalmasso (SCU) 7-6 (7-3), 6-4
2. Arthur Neuhaus (SCU) def. Oliver Andersson (GU) 6-2, 5-7, 6-3
3. Christian Lerby (SCU) def. Arthus Bassetiere (GU) 4-6, 6-3, 6-4
4. Mann Shah (SCU) def. Matthew Hollingworth (GU) 6-2, 6-4
5. Tom Hann (GU) def. Santiago Hinojosa (SCU) 6-3, 7-6 (7-3)
6. Jack Pulliam (SCU) def. Leon Roider (GU) 2-6, 6-4, 6-0
Doubles competition
1. Arthur Neuhaus/Guillaume Dalmasso (SCU) vs. Sasha Trkulja/Matthew Hollingworth (GU) 3-5, unfinished
2. Leon Roider/Arthus Bassetiere (GU) def. Christian Lerby/Jack Pulliam (SCU) 6-2
3. Tom Hann/Pablo Gomez Galvan (GU) def. Mann Shah/Santiago Hinojosa (SCU) 6-2
Match Notes
Gonzaga 7-8, 2-2 WCC
Santa Clara 11-7, 3-2 WCC
Order of finish: Doubles (3,2); Singles (4,1,5,6,2,3)
