SPOKANE, Wash -- In an unexpected ending for the Eagles, the Eastern Washington University men's tennis team lost to Gonzaga 7-0 on January 28 in Spokane, Washington.

"Today, for whatever reason, was the first time in a while I saw numerous guys off that normally are not," head coach Steve Clark said. "Rob (Dula), who was undefeated last year until a season ending injury, was very winded during the match for the first time. I have never seen him like that and it cost him."

Senior Robert Dula was in a battle at the No. 1 singles spot in his first set but ended up losing 7-5 and lost 6-3 in the second. Junior Flavien Raveau and senior Wacil Bendjelti both lost their matches with nail-bitter tiebreakers. Bendjelti won his first set 6-4, but lost his second set 6-3 with losing the tiebreaker 11-9. Raveau lost his first set 6-3 and his second set ending in a 10-8 tiebreaker.

Sophomore Victor Pereira was in the No. 2 singles spot and lost 6-3, 6-0. Junior Scott Paz lost match 6-0, 6-4 and junior Ricardo Almeida 6-2, 6-4.

"Both Rob and Scott (Paz) were the first Eagles to ever win numerous rounds at the ITA All American, and Rob is ranked No. 19 Regionally among Stanford, Cal, and Washington for a good reason," Clark said. "But both were off in doubles and singles today.  The only thing I can chalk it up to is a very slow surface compared to our courts which are the fastest I know of.But I know they enjoy that speed a bit, so kudos to GU for making them play. But kudos to Gonzaga, I know a couple of guys were thinking, 'man, that is normally a winner' but again a slow court and good players means it comes back and that puts pressure." 

In doubles, Paz and Dula teamed up for the No. 1 spot, but fell 6-2 to their opponents. Almeida and Pereira lost their match in a close battle, 7-5 for the No. 2 doubles team. Senior Luke Ness and junior Vuk Vuckovic finished off the doubles competition in the No. 3 spot, falling 6-4.

"On the bright side, these Eagles battle and fight," Clark added. "Wacil (Bendjelti) had match point but succumbed in the 3rd set super tie break. Flavien (Raveau) was down 1-5 in the second set and had numerous match points against him but battled back only to lose in the third set super tiebreak, 8-10. He had a wide open forehand down the line to get match point but as he said, he hesitated and thought of going cross court to change it up. It was a lesson learned but it took significant toughness to get to that point so Kudos for that. Although Flavien would not care about the pat on the back, the win and the team winning was all he wanted. But that view is what enable him to keep fighting."

Eastern Washington's next match will be at home for the first time this regular season. The Eagles will be taking on Sacramento State, also the first Big Sky competition this season. Matches will begin at 10 a.m. at the Jim Thorpe Fieldhouse. Following the match against Sacramento State, the Eagles will also play Whitworth University with matches starting at 3 p.m.
 

Gonzaga 7, Eastern Washington 0

Singles competition

1. O'SULLIVAN, Ruadhan (GON) def. DULA, Robert (EWU) 7-5, 6-3

2. RETTKE, Vincent (GON) def. PEREIRA, Victor (EWU) 6-3, 6-0

3. FEIT, Sam (GON) def. PAZ, Scott (EWU) 6-0, 6-4

4. SAUROMBE, Ronzai (GON) def. ALMEIDA, Ricardo (EWU) 6-2, 6-4

5. HOMEDES DUALDE,Simon (GON) def. RAVEAU, Flavien (EWU) 6-3, 6-7, 1-0 (10-8)

6. EVERLY, Kyle (GON) def. BENDJELTI, Wacil (EWU) 4-6, 6-3, 1-0 (11-9)

Doubles competition

1. O'SULLIVAN, Ruadhan/FEIT, Sam (GON) def. PAZ, Scott/DULA, Robert (EWU) 6-2

2. EVERLY, Kyle/RETTKE, Vincent (GON) def. ALMEIDA, Ricardo/PEREIRA, Victor (EWU) 7-5

3. SAUROMBE, Ronzai/HOMEDES DUALDE,Simon (GON) def. NESS, Luke/VUCKOVIC, Vuk (EWU) 6-4