Dawgs Fall Short in 4-3 Defeat vs. No. 36 Indiana

Saturday, February 28

Seattle, WA

3:00 PM

University of Washington

Indiana

Three Advance to Quarterfinals at Kramer Invite

March 01, 2015 | Men's Tennis

By: Washington Athletics

SEATTLE – The No. 48 University of Washington men's tennis team suffered its second dual match loss of the season as the Dawgs put up a tremendous effort against No. 36 Indiana, but eventually fell short, losing 4-3 Saturday afternoon at the Nordstrom Tennis Center. The Huskies move to 7-2 on the season.

Washington fell down early after losing the doubles point following losses on courts three and two. Joao Barra and Mitch Stewart got off to a slow start on court three and were not able to make a comeback, losing to Indiana's Chris Essick and Stefan Lugonjic 6-1. Victor Farkas and Wendell Watanabe battled all match long, but finished just short, losing 6-4.

Emmett Egger and Jeff Hawke were the only Dawgs to win their doubles match. They put up a solid effort, winning a few deuce points and ending their match in a 6-4 decision.

The Indiana Hoosiers split the singles matches 3-3, which proved to be enough to knock off the Huskies 4-3. The Dawgs started off hot, taking the lead by winning the first three singles matches. Gal Hakak was the first to put the Huskies on the board after he defeated Indiana's Matt McCoy 6-1, 6-4. Shortly after, Jeff Hawke won in a 6-2, 6-4 decision. On court three, freshman Jake Douglas took another singles point after he defeated Raheel Maji 6-1, 6-4 to win his 13^th straight match.

With the Huskies now up 3-1, things looked like they were going Washington's way, but Indiana battled hard, forcing the three remaining matches into a third set. The Dawgs ultimately lost all three of the third set tiebreakers.

“I'm not a big believer in good breaks or bad breaks. I think the better you are, the more breaks you will make for yourself. I would like to chalk this match up to bad luck, but I am a little more disappointed than that,” said Head Coach Matt Anger.

Egger took the lead in the first set 6-1, but allowed Indiana's Sam Monette to take the second set 6-2. Egger fought hard in the third set, but fell short losing 6-2.

Stewart got off to a hot start, winning the first set 6-2. He battled hard in the second set, but fell just short ending 6-7. Stewart lost the third set 3-6.

“Mitch is a real battler, and today is no exception. He has given everything he has, but I think we let them off in the second set. He had some life there in the third and hit a lot of winners,” added Head Coach Anger.

The Huskies finish their four-match home stand against St. Mary's (California), at 12 p.m. on Sunday, March 1st at the Nordstrom Tennis Center.

Indiana 4, UW 3

Seattle, Wash.

Nordstrom Tennis Center

Doubles (Order of Finish: 5, 1, 3)

1. Emmett Egger/Jeff Hawke (UW) def. Sam Monette/Daniel Bednarcxyk (IU), 6-4

2. Snen Lalic/Raheel Manji (IU) def. Viktor Farkas/Wendell Watanabe (UW), 6-4

3. Chris Essick/Stefan Lugonjic (IU) def. Joao Barra/Mitch Stewart (UW), 6-1

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

1. Sam Monette (IU) def. Emmett Egger (UW), 1-6, 6-2, 6-2

2. Daniel Bednarczyk (IU) def. Mitch Stewart (UW), 2-6, 7-6, 6-3

3. Jake Douglas (UW) def. Raheel Manji (IU), 6-1, 6-4