LUBBOCK, Texas (February 24, 2023) – The Lubbock Christian University men's tennis program played their first-ever Lone Star Conference match and it came down to the No.6 singles match to decide the match in the Chaparrals favor, as they topped St. Mary's 4-3 for a 1-0 start in LSC play Friday at brisk Penny Gullo Tennis Center.
The No.6 singles match pitted LCU's
Nikita Deev against Jake Faryniarz, who claimed the first set 6-0. Deev stormed back to win the second set 6-3 and the fourth set 6-4 for the clinching fourth point to win the duals match.
StMU struck first in the doubles portion of the dual, taking a 1-0 lead by winning the No.3 seed match. LCU's No.2 doubles team of
Kelly Giese and
Braden Tipton edged Nicolas Llosa and Jake Faryniarz 6-4 to even the doubles portion at 1-1. The No.1 singles squad of
Martins Abamu and
Sabri Laphitz outlasted Daniel Matheu Baldor and Alvaro Soler 6-4 to win the doubles point for a 1-0 match lead.
No.43 nationally ranked Giese served the No.1 singles match and claimed a victory (6-4, 6-3) and
Herman Aguirre topped No.20 regionally ranked Ryan Koth (6-4, 6-3) in the No.3 singles match. The victories led to the pressure on the final singles match and setup Deev's heroics. Deev improved to 2-0 on the season and each win was in duals competition.
Giese was playing in a No.1 singles match for a second time this season and improved to 2-0 in No.1 singles matches. He moved to 9-3 overall and 4-1 in duals.
In Summary
The victory moved LCU to a 5-1 overall mark on the season and they claim a victory in their first Lone Star Conference match in program history to open LSC play 1-0.
