DAVIS, Calif. — Picking up just the third victory over Santa Clara since records started in 1996, the Aggies raced out to claim the doubles point, and three of the first four singles matches off for a dominant 4-3 win at the Marya Welch Tennis Center on Saturday.
UC Davis men's tennis won its third consecutive doubles point, claiming a quick win at No. 2 from Daniel Landa and Andrei Volgin, who bageled their opponents 6-0. Playing without David Goulak, a new doubles pairing formed on the top court, with Chethan Swanson and Ivan Thamma clinching the doubles point with a 6-4 win. Dariush Jalali and Andras Necz were at 5-5 when the match was abandoned.
"We came out and played really solid doubles on all three courts," remarked head coach Eric Steidlmayer. "I loved the energy at the start and the execution was there too. To get out and win 6-0 in college doubles is really hard to do, so props to those guys. We were up 5-2 at No. 3, and serving 5-4 at No.1, so we had a really great effort in doubles today, and it was fun to get a doubles point against a quality team."
Transitioning into singles, the Aggies won first sets on five of the six courts for the early advantage. Thamma was the first off with a straight set 6-3, 6-2 rout of Jesus Barajas at No. 1, bringing the team score to 2-0.
"In singles, I think the big thing for us is that we fight and compete at each spot. Today we did that and we did that on all six courts," continued Steidlmayer.
Santa Clara won their first point of the day at No. 2 singles, but was quickly followed by Jalali's two-set victory at No. 6 — in just his second dual appearance this year. Jalali took the first set 6-1, and held back a late surge from his opponent to close the match 7-5 in the second.
"I knew he was going to fight, and that I needed to continue with the same level that I had in the first set," said Jalali. "Usually I just play doubles, so I had to get myself in the mindset of playing singles, and playing the way I've been playing in practice and not letting my nerves get to me."
With the team score at 3-1, the Aggies needed just one more match to officially claim the dual. Arjith Jayaraman came back from a break down in the second set to gut out a 6-4, 7-6(4) win at No. 5, clinching the 4-1 victory. Volgin and Swanson both fell in third sets after the clinch.
"I'm especially happy and proud of Dariush Jalali who stepped in today. He hadn't gotten a consistent chance to start this year, but has been working on his game all the time. He's been working really hard, and it paid off today, so just really happy for him and for our whole team on the win."
Jalali, buying into Steidlmayer's coaching style of high energy, was also proud after today's win.
"I'm really proud of the guys; I'm really proud of everyone going out there and competing — especially not having David (Goulak) today. For tomorrow, we just have to play with no fear. We're a tough team, they're a tough team. We just have to not fear anyone and go into the match with all that we can"
The Aggies continue their homestand on Sunday, welcoming Pac-12 program Washington to campus — the first Pac-12 team to play in Davis. The match is set to begin at noon, with live scoring available here.
UC Davis 4, Santa Clara 3
February 22, 2020
Davis, Calif.
Doubles
1. Ivan Thamma/Chethan Swanson (UCD) def. Arthur Neuhaus/Vasileios Iliopoulos (SCU) 6-4
2. Daniel Landa/Andrei Volgin (UCD) def. Jesus Barajas/Santiago Hinojosa (SCU) 6-0
3. Dariush Jalali/Andras Necz (UCD) vs. Nick Cmager/Mann Shah (SCU) 5-5, unfinished
Order of Finish: 2, 1*
Singles
1. Ivan Thamma (UCD) def. Jesus Barajas (SCU) 6-3, 6-2
2. Mann Shah (SCU) def. Andras Necz (UCD) 6-1, 6-4
3. Arthur Neuhaus (SCU) def. Chethan Swanson (UCD) 3-6, 7-6(7), 1-0(6)
4. Vasileios Iliopoulos (SCU) def. Andrei Volgin (UCD) 1-6, 6-1, 6-4
5. Arjith Jayaraman (UCD) def. Santiago Hinojosa (SCU) 6-4, 7-6(4)
6. Dariush Jalali (UCD) def. Nick Cmager (SCU) 6-1, 7-5
Order of Finish: 1, 2, 6, 5*, 4, 3
\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.
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