Men’s Tennis Defeats El Camino, 4-3; Russell Hao Shines in Win with Singles, Doubles

Men’s Tennis Defeats El Camino, 4-3; Russell Hao Shines in Win with Singles, Doubles

By John M. Sherrard

(Azusa, CA) The Mt. SAC Men's Tennis team, behind a banner day from sophomore Russell Hao, got into the win column with a 4-3 South Coast Conference victory in a home match at Citrus College Tuesday afternoon.

Two weeks after losing to El Camino, 7-2, the Mounties turned it around behind three singles wins and a doubles victory.

"Everybody competed very well against El Camino," first-year Mt. SAC Tennis coach Tim Pawley said.

"Hao's doubles play is very polished and with his partner (sophomore) Dustin Shin, it makes for a very good combo.

Hao, who is the Mounties' No. 3 singles player, split his first two games, 6-2, 2-6, but won his tie-break, 10-3 for the win. He then paired with Shin for the No. 1 doubles win, 8-6, in the pro set 8 format, which is only one set.

In the No. 2 singles match, freshman Brandon Narvaez also won in a tie-break for his second victory of the season. The freshman won his first game, 6-2, but dropped the second, 4-6, to send it into a tie-break, which he won 10-6.

Matthew Wu, who is the No. 4 Mt. SAC single, swept his two games, 6-0, 6-4 for his first win of the season.

The No. 2 doubles pair of Wu/Narvaez dropped their match, 6-8.

Pawley, however, had high praise for the two freshmen.

"I'm praising the work habits of my two freshmen. Their practices and work habits are outstanding. They are the future of our program."

On a recruiting note, which is going very well, the program is continuing to build. Pawley will have a women's team next year and the spring semester is going well and they will be having a summer program.

He has three commits for next season – two women and one man.

"Our recruiting has been very successful and doubled from the previous semester," added Pawley.

The Mounties will play another home match next Monday, March 13 against New Mexico Military Institute at Citrus College.

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For additional information, please contact the Mt. SAC Sports Information Office at 909.274.4630.