Arizona men’s tennis headed to Las Vegas, Nev., for the Larry Easley Memorial Classic over the weekend. It was the Wildcats’ fourth tournament of the fall season.
Arizona went up against UNLV, No. 29 Boise State, No. 43 Oregon, NAU, GCU, Seminole State College and Mesa Community College.
Freshmen Shoki Kasahara and Romain Boudaroua, and juniors Matt Dunn and Trevor James, competed over the weekend. It was James’ first match of the fall season.
On the first day of the tournament, the Wildcats dominated, with every member of the team picking up a victory. Dunn and James both had consecutive victories to advance to semifinals action.
Kasahara has been dominant so far this fall season, holding a 5-2 singles mark and his first collegiate tournament win in the SDSU Invitational two weeks prior. However, in this tournament, Kashara dropped his opening round singles match before defeating Mesa Community College sophomore Duong Nguyen 6-0, 6-1. In addition, Boudaroua also dropped his opening singles match before defeating GCU sophomore Adrian Legarreta 6-4, 6-2, in consolation play.
On the second day of the tournament, Dunn fell in singles semifinal play, losing a match against Boise State sophomore Abe Hewko 6-4, 6-3. James was also defeated in his semifinal match to NAU freshman Adi Zilberstein 6-2, 7-5.
In doubles play, James and Boudaroua had put two consecutive wins together to reach the semifinals before losing to UNLV duo seniors Ace Matias and Denys Pume.
“For these guys, it is all about playing matches and gaining experience,” UA men’s head coach Tad Berkowitz said in a press release. “They all have been working extremely hard both on and off the court. Now, it’s a matter of putting it all together and getting in some great competition this weekend.”
Overall, the tournament was a way for the team to bond and earn more experience.
Up next for the men will be the Dickie V Clay Court Classic and the Jack Kramer Club Invitational in Sarasota, Fla., and Los Angeles, Calif., respectively, on Friday. The Arizona women’s tennis team will conclude its fall season at the San Diego State Invitational on Friday.
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