SAN DIEGO – The San Diego State men's tennis team opened its 2022 schedule in style with a 6-1 triumph over UC San Diego on Wednesday at Aztec Tennis Center.
With the victory, SDSU (1-0) improves to 12-0 in the all-times series vs. the Tritons (0-4) after recording its first win in a season lid-lifter since 2017.
"It was great to finally have some competition after our COVID-19 pause," said Aztec head coach Gene Carswell. "I think we accomplished several goals in our opening match and this result is going to be very valuable for us moving forward."
SDSU set the tone early by capturing the doubles point, with 2021 all-Mountain West honoree Johannes Seeman joining forces with Alexander Mandma for the clinching decision after defeating the UCSD tandem of Zach Ermert and Eric Silberman by a 6-3 count on the No. 2 court. Moments earlier, the Aztec duo of Victor Castro and Joe Tyler, who earned a No. 57 ITA ranking following the fall tournament schedule, rolled past Phillip Lan and Daniel Traxler by a 6-2 tally in the No. 1 position.
With the doubles outcome no longer in question, the No. 3 encounter pitting SDSU's Jules Auffray and Judson Blair against Jett Cole and Pelayo Rodriguez was abandoned after the Aztec combo reached match point.
As dusk rapidly descended on The Mesa, San Diego State maintained its shine in singles play, posting four straight singles victories to squelch any hopes of a Triton comeback. First off the court was Blair, who made quick work of Tristan Taylor with a 6-1, 6-2 conquest at No. 6, while Seeman soon followed with a 6-4, 6-3 decision over Traxler at the top of the ladder.
Shortly thereafter, Mandma once again provided the requisite point for the Scarlet and Black with an impressive 6-2, 6-2 triumph over Cole in the fourth position.
"I was very happy for Alex to pick up that clinching victory," Carswell said. "What a way to finish off his first dual match as an Aztec."
With SDSU's team victory on ice, the three remaining singles matches were allowed to continue through completion. Tyler witnessed success in his first dual match for the Aztecs after pinning a 6-4, 6-3 defeat on Lan in the No. 2 slot, while Castro overcame an early deficit to vanquish Rodriguez on the No. 3 court, 3-6, 6-4, 6-4. UCSD's lone victory was recorded at No. 5, where Sahm Irvine upended Auffray, 6-0, 7-5.
"Overall, I was very pleased with our effort today," Carswell added. "Judd was very efficient at No. 6, and I thought Johannes handled himself extremely well at the top of the order, so we'll be looking to build on these performances."
San Diego State will head to Seattle, Washington, for a pair of matches this weekend, squaring off against Portland at Nordstrom Tennis Center in a neutral-site clash on Saturday, Feb. 5, before battling host Washington the following day on Feb. 6. Both encounters are scheduled for an 11 a.m. PT start.
San Diego State 6, UC San Diego 1
Feb. 2, 2022
San Diego, Calif.—Aztec Tennis Center
Doubles
1. #57 Victor Castro/Joe Tyler (SDSU) def. Phillip Lan/Daniel Traxler (UCSD) 6-2
2. Johannes Seeman/Alexander Mandma (SDSU) def. Zach Ermert/Eric Silberman (UCSD) 6-3
3. Jules Auffray/Judson Blair (SDSU) vs. Jett Cole/Pelayo Rodriguez (UCSD) 5-4 DNF
Order of Finish: 1, 2
San Diego State wins doubles point
Singles
1. Johannes Seeman (SDSU) def. Daniel Traxler (UCSD) 6-4, 6-3
2. Joe Tyler (SDSU) def. Philip Lan (UCSD) 6-4, 6-3
3. Victor Castro (SDSU) def. Pelayo Rodriguez (UCSD) 3-6, 6-4, 6-4
4. Alexander Mandma (SDSU) def. Jett Cole (UCSD), 6-2, 6-2
5. Sahm Irvine (UCSD) def. Jules Auffray (SDSU), 6-0, 7-5
6. Judson Blair (SDSU) def. Tristan Taylor (UCSD) 6-1, 6-2
Order of Finish: 6, 1, 4,* 2, 5, 3
* - match-clinching victory
Aztecs Topple UC San Diego, 6-1
