Memphis fends off Toreros

Box Score

SAN DIEGO, Calif. – No. 24/23 Memphis held off a late rally to move past No. 44 San Diego on Friday afternoon and advance to the championship round of the San Diego Spring Classic.

With the win, the Tigers (10-4, 2-0) extended their win streak to a season-best five matches.

Memphis gained an early edge by sweeping the doubles point. Seniors Ryan Peniston and Andrew Watson won 6-4 on court 1, while sophomore tandem Matt Story and Jan Pallares took court 3 by a final of 6-4.

Pallares pushed the Tigers lead to 2-0 with a straight-set win to open singles action. The sophomore's 6-3, 6-2 win was his sixth victory of the spring and third consecutive win.

After San Diego (6-5, 1-0) struck at the top spot, Watson swung the momentum on court 2. Despite dropping the first frame, the senior responded to deliver a three-set win for his sixth straight triumph. Watson also improved his singles record to 10-3, including a 10-1 mark at the No. 2 position.

The Toreros offered a late rally with wins on court 5 and 4 to even the match at 3-3, but Kai Lemke helped Memphis avoid an upset. After splitting the first two sets, the senior cruised in the final frame to turn in his first ranked win of the year and clinch the match for the Tigers.

Memphis awaits the winner of No. 25 Harvard vs. No. 37 Texas Tech for a championship showdown on Saturday.

RESULTS

Singles
1. #75 Holmgren (USD) def. #63 Peniston (MEM) 6-3, 6-1
2. Watson (MEM) def. Osorio (USD) 3-6, 6-1, 6-2
3. Lemke (MEM) def. #107 Gamerov (USD) 6-2, 3-6, 6-1
4. Borter (USD) def. Rauch (MEM) 4-6, 6-2, 6-2
5. Norfeldt (USD) def. Patzanovsky (MEM) 7-6(3), 6-2
6. Pallares (MEM) def. Araouzos (USD) 6-3, 6-2

Doubles
1. Watson/Peniston (MEM) def. #49 Osorio/Borter (USD) 6-3
2. Gamerov/Holmgren (USD) vs. Lemke/Sullivan (MEM) 5-4, unfinished
3. Story/Pallares (MEM) def. Kurtz/Norfeldt (USD) 6-4

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Players Mentioned

Kai Lemke

Jan Pallares

Ryan Peniston

Matt Story

Andrew Watson

University of Memphis Athletics