Thursday, 03/08/2012

MORAGA, Calif. – The Saint Mary’s men’s tennis team returns to the courts on Saturday for a match against Northern California rival UC Davis.  The Gaels and Aggies will square off on March 3 at 12 p.m. at the Tim Korth Tennis Complex.

Saint Mary’s enters the match with a 3-7 record and a 1-1 mark at home this season. Last weekend, the Gaels defeated UC Riverside, 6-1, in Los Angeles on the strength of five singles wins.  SMC also fell to No. 8 UCLA on the road trip.
 
The Gaels are led by senior Sherif Hamdy who is 6-4 in singles play this spring.  Hamdy is 3-3 at the No. 2 spot and 3-1 on court three.  Newcomer Seif El Sherbini has four singles wins this season, while Saad Benkirane, Samuel Bloore, and Maxime Olivan all have three singles wins this spring.

UC Davis also enters the match with a 3-7 record and has most recently lost their last three matches in a row.  The Aggies defeated Weber State on February 17 and since then have lost to Sacramento State, UC Santa Barbara and Cal Poly.  The Gaels are 11-2 all-time against UC Davis, including a 5-2 win last season in Moraga.

Following the match against UC Davis, the Gaels will return to action next weekend when they host Idaho.  Saint Mary’s and the Vandals will take the courts on Friday, March 9 at 3 p.m. from the Tim Korth Tennis Complex.