SACRAMENTO -- With the score tied at 3-3, freshman
David Dai came through with a three-set victory at No. 6 singles to provide the clincher in a 4-3 win over Hawaii on Wednesday afternoon at the Sacramento State Tennis Complex.
After the Hornets won the doubles point, the two teams braved a two-hour rain delay before the match resumed with singles play.
Using four freshmen and a sophomore in the singles lineup, Sacramento State improved to 5-6 overall and 3-1 at home. It was also a good way to start a stretch that will see the Hornets play four home matches over a four-day span, which includes co-hosting the
Golden State Invitational on Friday-Saturday.
In a matchup full of tense moments, Sacramento State took the doubles point in comeback fashion. After dropping the No. 3 doubles match, the Hornets'
Nick Bowles/
Hayden Rand won at No. 2 by a 6-4 score. At No. 3,
Henry Lamchinniah/
Gur Libal trailed, 5-2, before ripping off five straight games to win, 7-5, and provide a very important doubles point.
The Hornets took a 2-0 lead when
Martin Duris won his singles match at No. 5 by a 6-2, 6-2 score. However, Hawaii won the next three matches (at Nos. 4, 3 and 2) to take a 3-2 lead. Lamchinniah, who played incredible tennis all afternoon, beat a nationally ranked opponent by a 6-4, 6-4 score at No. 1 to tie things at 3-3. The victory came over 86th-ranked Azuma Visaya.
At 3-3, the match came down to Dai, and the true freshman came through with a 3-6, 7-6 (3), 6-2 victory over Andy Hernandez. Dai quickly jumped out to a 4-0 lead in the third set before eventually winning.
"The comeback from Henry and Gur in doubles was incredible, and the energy level was very high," Sacramento State head coach
Kevin Kurtz said. "Henry then played his best singles match of the season, and Martin played his best match. David came through in a big moment, which was great to see from a freshman. Today was a nice way to head into the Golden State Invitational later this week."
The Hornets open the two-day Golden State Invitational on Friday at home against both Montana (9:30 a.m.) and New Mexico State (2:30 p.m.). They also take on UTRGV on Saturday at 10 a.m.
