Claremont, CA – In a tightly contested match between two nationally ranked teams, the Ephs came up just short on Saturday, falling 4–3 to Pomona-Pitzer under the Southern California sun. Despite a strong showing in singles and a valiant effort across all courts, the Ephs were ultimately edged after dropping the doubles point and three singles matches.
Doubles proved decisive early on. Pomona-Pitzer came out with energy and execution, taking all three doubles matches to clinch the lone doubles point. On Court 1,
Nicholas Chen and
Shawn Berdia pushed Goldman and Mallampati but couldn't find a late break, falling 6–4. Court 2 saw
Andrew Chong and
Simon Volkema go down 6–3, while
Leon Liu and
Robert Cooper Jr. battled on Court 3 but came up short in a tight 6–4 decision.
Despite the doubles setback, the Ephs responded with resilience in singles. At No. 1, Chen continued his strong form with a gritty effort against Goldman. After splitting the first two sets 5–7, 6–4, Chen was up 1–0 in the third when Goldman was forced to retire due to injury, handing Williams its first point of the day.
Berdia followed suit on Court 2, shaking off a slow start to post a 4–6, 6–2, 6–2 win over Lee, using his movement and variety to turn the match around. Volkema added another point for the Ephs at No. 3 with a composed 7–6 (6), 6–4 victory, showcasing his signature patience and precise angles in the big moments.
But Pomona-Pitzer held firm in the bottom half of the lineup. Liu fell to Feng 6–3, 6–1 at No. 4, and
Jack Ling dropped a tough one on Court 5, 7–6 (2), 6–2, despite some lengthy rallies and high-intensity exchanges. The deciding match came at No. 6, where first-year
Diego Marin fought tooth and nail in a three-set thriller but was edged 6–2, 2–6, 7–6 (0) by Chulani.
After the match, Eph head coach
Dan Greenberg said, "We got off to a pretty rocky start in doubles and lost five first sets in singles, but loved how we battled back to the brink of a victory. We're competing really well, we just need more clarity on how we want to start matches."
Williams moves to 2–1 on their California trip and will look to regroup before their next match, Tuesday, April 1
st at 1 PM PST versus Division 2 Point Loma.
Doubles:
- Goldman/Mallampati (POM) def. Chen/Berdia (WIL) 6-4
- English/Feng (POM) def. Chong/Volkema (WIL) 6-3
- Lee/Chulani (POM) def. Liu/Cooper (WIL) 6-4
Singles:
- Chen (WIL) def. Goldman (POM) 5-7, 6-4, 1-0
- Berdia (WIL) def. Lee (POM) 4-6, 6-2, 6-2
- Volkema (WIL) def. Andea (POM) 7-6 (6), 6-4
- Feng (POM) def. Liu (WIL) 6-3, 6-1
- English (POM) def. Ling (WIL) 7-6 (2), 6-2
- Chulani (POM) def. Marin (WIL) 6-2, 2-6, 7-6 (0)
