Feb. 7, 2003

Moraga, CA- The Saint Mary's men's tennis team defeated visiting Sonoma State by a final team score of 4-3. Though the Gaels were defeated in doubles action, they secured their second win of the season by winning four of the six singles matches. The win improves Saint Mary's record on the season the 2-3 overall. The Gaels will take the courts again as they play host to Hawaii on February 10 beginning at 3:00 pm at the Timothy Korth Tennis Complex.

Leading the way for Saint Mary's in singles action were Rafael Lopez and Romain Lachens. Lopez was victorious at #2 singles when he defeated Sonoma State's Michael Cardozo in straight sets 6-2, 6-3. Lachens also won in straight sets as he beat Andrew Laing at #3 singles by a final score of 6-3, 6-0. Freshman Andre Sion also recorded a victory for the Gaels at #4 singles when he defeated Patrick Nagle 6-2, 6-0. Saint Mary's Josh Farley secured the team win when he defeated Zeus Kuzu in straight sets at #5 singles 6-1, 6-1. Thomas Burgemeister and Timothy Welty played close matches but ultimately lost. Burgemeister was defeated at #1 singles by Nestor Bernabe in a close match by the final score of 6-3, 6-4. Welty was also defeated by Sonoma State as he lost his #6 singles match to Ryan Shipman by a close score of 6-4, 6-3.

In doubles play, the Gaels were defeated by Sonoma State in two matches, but took the #2 doubles match as Andre Sion and Romain Lachens defeated Nagle/Shipman 8-2. Sonoma State's pair of Bernabe/Cardozo defeated the Gaels #1 doubles team of Burgemiester/Whitlinger by a final score of 8-4. At #3 doubles, The tandem of Filip Sarovic and Rafael Lopez were defeated by Laing/Keister 8-4.

The Gaels return to the courts on February 10 as they play host to Hawaii on the Timothy Korth Tennis Complex at 3:00 pm.

Saint Mary's: 4      Sonoma State: 1
Singles#1 Nestor Bernabe (SSU) d. Thomas Burgemeister (SMC) 6-3, 6-4#2 Rafael Lopez (SMC) d. Michael Cardozo (SSU) 6-2, 6-3#3 Romain Lachens (SMC) d. Andrew Laing (SSU) 6-3, 6-0#4 Andre Sion (SMC) d. Patrick Nagle (SSU) 6-2, 6-0#5 Josh Farley (SMC) d. Zeus Kuzu (SSU) 6-1, 6-1#6 Ryan Shipman (SSU) d. Timothy Welty (SMC) 6-4, 6-3
Doubles#1 Bernabe/Cardozo (SSU) d. Burgemeister/Whitlinger (SMC) 8-4#2 Sion/Lachens (SMC) d. Shipman/Nagle (SSU) 8-2#3 Laing/Keister (SSU) d. Lopez/Sarovic (SMC) 8-4