Men's Tennis | 02.03.2022

Box Score SURPRISE, Ariz. – The Warriors of LC State Men's Tennis put up a fight but were edged by Ottawa University (Ariz.) in the 2022 season opener on Thursday. Itaru Kikuchi and Daniel Tevez opened their seasons with wins in singles, and Austin Swing began his LC career with a singles victory as well.
 
"A tremendous effort by the Warriors to play their season opener outdoors against OUAZ," Head Coach Kai Fong said. "I appreciated seeing the grind despite the different conditions. The players responded well to the varying conditions, especially to the slower court surface."
 
Kikuchi fell behind early in the top singles match, dropping the first set 0-6. He quickly bounced back and outlasted his opponent to earn a 0-6, 6-4, 6-1 victory. In No. 3 singles, Swing rallied from down 1-4 in the first set to take his match in straight sets 6-4, 6-4. Tevez capped the LC victories in the No. 6 with a 3-6, 7-6 (4), 10-3 win.
 
"Itaru Kikuchi stayed resilient and pulled off a three-setter against a fifth-year senior," Fong said. "I have not seen Itaru lose a first set 0-6. He held his composure and wore down his opponent. Kudos to the freshman from Boise (Swing) who was also recruited by OUAZ. Daniel Tevez came from a set down and out-rallied his opponent in the second and third sets. Daniel played smarter and adjusted his game to be more consistent."
 
The Warriors wrap up the road trip in Arizona on Friday with back-to-back matches against Arizona Christian. The first contest is scheduled to start at 11 a.m. PT.
 
RESULTS
Doubles:

1. Michael Loyd/Austin Todd (OUAZ) def. Itaru Kikuchi.William Bruchard (LCSC) 6-3
2. Bryce Bodak/Liam Spiers (OUAZ) def. Larry Magalasin/Austin Swing (LCSC) 6-3
3. Good Adiv/Gianmarco Pitotti (OUAZ) def. Cade Edwards/Daniel Tevez (LCSC) 6-4

Singles:

1. Kikuchi (LCSC) def. Todd (OUAZ) 0-6, 6-4, 6-1
2. Spiers (OUAZ) def. Bruchard (LCSC) 6-2, 7-5
3. Swing (LCSC) def. Bodak (OUAZ) 6-4, 6-4
4. Adiv (OUAZ) def. Edwards (LCSC) 6-3, 6-4
5. Loyd (OUAZ) def. Gunnar Harlan (LCSC) 7-5, 6-1
6. Tevez (LCSC) def. Pittoti (OUAZ) 3-6, 7-6 (4), 10-3

 
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