DAVIS, Calif. — In a dramatic matchup on Saturday, the Aggies exacted revenge for last year's loss, defeating Gonzaga 4-3, with sophomore Arjith Jayaraman clinching the deciding 4-3 match in a tough three setter.

Business ran as usual, with the Ags winning the doubles point to start the day. Still without Ivan Thamma, the Aggies replicated Friday's lineup, and was successful at No. 1 and No. 3 doubles, and elected to clinch the doubles point. On court three, Dariush Jalali and Alex Scemanenco earned the first match win, winning 6-3, while Daniel Landa and David Goulak earned crucial breaks to win three straight games en route to an identical 6-3 win. Chethan Swanson and Nil Giraldez were leading 4-3 at the clinch.

Transitioning into singles, both teams turned up the intensity, competing hard for every point. After the conclusion of first sets, the results were split, as the Aggies and the Zags both won three apiece. Giraldez, who was the last match off on Friday, reversed the trend, handing his opponent a dominant second set in a straight-set victory, claiming the match 7-5, 6-2 and putting the team score at 2-0. Prior to today's match, Ruadhan O'Sullivan had only lost one other time at No. 2. 

Gonzaga would respond with three straight wins at No. 6, No. 4, and No. 3, with the last two being three setters. At No. 3, Swanson battled back from a 0-5 third set deficit, but was unable to overcome the challenge, falling in a tiebreaker, which put the Bulldogs in the lead temporarily at 3-2.

Goulak, who dropped his first set at No. 1, displayed incredible shot-making to take the next two frames and tie the team score at 3-3. Jayaraman was midway through the third set, having dropped the first before fighting to take the second in a tiebreaker. Although he was broken to tie at 3-3 in the third, Jayaraman buckled down, and broke back to regain the lead, before consolidating the break for a 5-3 gap. After a controversial game, Gonzaga's Emilio Moreno held serve, putting the ball back in Jayaraman's court to serve it out at 5-4. The sophomore did just that, delivering huge points to claim the match. Jayaraman is now 3-0 this year when playing as the 3-3 clincher for the Aggies.

With the win over Gonzaga — a team that recently upset No. 31 BYU, 4-2 — the Aggies improve to 10-6, officially bettering their record from last year (9-18). Giraldez and Jayaraman are tied for the lead in dual match wins with nearly identical 9-4 and 9-5 records, respectively, while Jayaraman has won his last three straight. 

UC Davis begins Big West Conference play this Tuesday, April 2, hosting Hawaii at 2 PM, and will wrap up its homestand with a pair of matches against Cal Poly and UC Santa Barbara next weekend.

UC Davis 4, Gonzaga 3 
Sunday, Mar. 31, 2019
Davis, Calif.

Doubles
1. David Goulak/Daniel Landa (UCD) def. Feit, Sam/Everly, Kyle (GON) 6-3
2. Chethan Swanson/Nil Giraldez (UCD) vs. HomedesDualde, Simon/Moreno, Emilio (GON) 5-4, unfinished 
3. Alex Scemanenco/Dariush Jalali (UCD) def. Egger, Hunter/O'Sullivan, Ruadhan (GON) 6-3 
Order of Finish: 3, 1

Singles
1. David Goulak (UCD) def. Feit, Sam (GON) 2-6, 6-4, 6-3
2. Nil Giraldez (UCD) def. O'Sullivan, Ruadhan (GON) 7-5, 6-2
3. Everly, Kyle (GON) def. Chethan Swanson (UCD) 3-6, 6-2, 7-6 
4. Rettke, Vincent (GON) def. Daniel Landa (UCD) 4-6, 6-0, 6-3
5. Arjith Jayaraman (UCD) def. Moreno, Emilio (GON) 1-6, 7-6, 6-4 
6. Egger, Hunter (GON) def. Alex Scemanenco (UCD) 7-5, 6-3 
Order of Finish: 2, 6 4, 3, 1, 5

ABOUT UC DAVIS
Providing a small-town community feel while providing a world-class academic experience, UC Davis is home to more than 37,000 students and centrally located between San Francisco, Lake Tahoe, and the Napa Valley. The No. 5-ranked public university in the nation, according to the Wall Street Journal and Times Higher Education, offers nearly 100 graduate programs and more than 100 academic majors across four colleges and six professional schools, ranking among the world and nation's best in numerous disciplines, including veterinary science, agriculture, and plant and animal programs.

AGGIE EVO
Established during the 2017-18 academic year, the Aggie EVO System is UC Davis Athletics' investment in the primary mission of preparing student-athletes for a successful "launch" after graduation. Thanks to a collaboration of alumni, university resources, corporate partners, coaches and Student-Athlete Outcomes staff, all Aggies are guided over four years to acquire the skills, knowledge, opportunities and tools to better know and navigate the "World of Work" after graduating from UC Davis. Follow the Aggie EVO system on Twitter and Instagram at @AggieEVO.