HOUSTON, Tex.—The University of Oregon men’s tennis team fell to the Rice Owls 4-1 Saturday in Houston, Tex. The Ducks are now 13-2, while the Owls advance to 7-8 on the season.

 

“Obviously, it is very disappointing not getting the W especially after winning the doubles point,” said head coach Nils Schyllander. “We need to understand that playing in elements such as the sun and wind takes extra effort, and in some spots we let those elements get to us.”

 

Oregon managed to win the doubles point for the 15th consecutive time this season as top duo of Jeff Mullen and Robin Cambier defeated Tommy Bennett and Adam Gustafsson 8-4, and Aaron Clissold and Daniel Sardu topped Peter Frank and Philipp Seifert 8-5 on Court 2. Mullen and Cambier are now 11-1 in doubles play on the season, while Clissold and Sardu remain undefeated at 9-0. Alex Rovello and Daan Maasland dropped their first match of the season to Jonathan Chang and Leif Berger 5-8, bringing their season total to 11-1. The Ducks are 38-4 overall in doubles matches this season.

 

In singles, the Owls won four matches to officially record the 4-1 victory before the Ducks could win a singles match. Mullen was defeated by Chang 6-4, 7-5 in the top spot, while Rovello fell 6-1, 6-1 to Gustafsson on Court 2. Maasland lost only his second match of the season as he fell to Seifert 6-2, 6-2 in the No. 4 spot. Lova Randriamampandry dropped his match to Frank 6-3, 6-1 on Court 5. Cambier was leading Bennett 6-1, 6-5 on Court 3, but the match was called due to Rice sealing the victory. Sardu was also ahead before the match was called, leading Gonzalez 7-6, 4-1. UO is now 64-22 overall in singles matches this season.

 

“Now we just need to regroup, take care of finals and get ready for the Pac-12 season,” added Schyllander.

 

The Ducks return to action on Friday, March 29th as they travel to Salt Lake City to face the Utah Utes. The match is scheduled to begin at 1:30 p.m. UO will finish the road trip in Tucson, Ariz. as it takes on Arizona on Sunday, March 31st. The match is scheduled to begin at 11 a.m.