Tigers sweep Rice in San Diego Spring Classic

Box Score

SAN DIEGO, Calif. – Memphis men's tennis continued its hot streak as the No. 24/23 Tigers swept Rice to open the San Diego Spring Classic on Thursday afternoon.

Memphis (9-4, 2-0) began the day with a pair of wins in doubles to take control early. Duo Ryan Peniston and Andrew Watson took court 1 by a score of 6-2, while Matt Story and Jan Pallares claimed a 6-1 win on court 3.

In singles play, Pallares was the first off the court after he turned in a straight-set win. The sophomore downed Rice's Ashton Duke 6-1, 6-2 for his fifth singles win in dual-match play.

In just his third appearance this spring, sophomore Turner Voges helped the Tigers take a commanding 3-0 match lead behind his first singles win of the season. The Chattanooga, Tenn., native turned in a 6-4, 6-2 win at the six spot.

Watson, who has now won eight of his last nine decisions and five straight matches, provided the clinch for the Tigers with a 6-2, 7-5 victory on court 2 to set the 4-0 final.

Memphis will face a quick turnaround as the Tigers face host San Diego on Friday at noon (CT) in day two of the classic. The No. 44 Toreros defeated No. 46 Utah State, 4-0, earlier in the day to advance to the second round. The Tigers lead the all-time series against San Diego, 2-1, including wins in the previous two matchups.

RESULTS

Singles
1. #63 Peniston (MEM) vs. Sarkar (RICE) unfinished
2. Watson (MEM) def. Abdel-Aziz (RICE) 6-2, 7-5
3. Lemke (MEM) vs. Eskeland (RICE) unfinished
4. Rauch (MEM) vs. Russell (RICE) unfinished
5. Pallares (MEM) def. Duke (RICE) 6-1, 6-2
6. Voges (MEM) def. Aiman (RICE) 6-4, 6-2

Doubles
1. Peniston/Watson (MEM) def. Russell/Eskeland (RICE) 6-2
2. Lemke/Sullivan (MEM) vs. Sarkar/Abdel-Aziz (RICE) 4-3, unfinished
3. Story/Pallares (MEM) def. Rutledge/Duke (RICE) 6-1

Next Event

Players Mentioned

Jan Pallares

Ryan Peniston

Matt Story

Turner Voges

Andrew Watson

University of Memphis Athletics