'Dogs capture Pacific Central Valley Championship

Sunday, March 1

Fresno, Calif.

approx. 12 p.m. PT

Fresno State

Wichita State

March 1, 2020; Fresno State men's tennis team in the championship match of the Pacific Central Valley Championshi at the Spalding G. Wathen Tennis Center.

Photo by: Keith Kountz

'Dogs capture Pacific Central Valley Championship

3/1/2020 8:56:00 PM | Men's Tennis

Box Score Photo Gallery (Keith Kountz)

By: Aidan Garaygordobil / Student Assistant

FRESNO, Calif. -- The Fresno State men's tennis team won the Pacific Central Valley Championship after defeating No. 48 Wichita State 4-3 in the title match on Sunday afternoon at Spalding G. Wathen Tennis Center. The Bulldogs claimed the narrow victory after a three-set win by Henrique Osorio.

"It's great hosting this tournament for the first time," Fresno State head coach Luke Shields said. "It was a fantastic weekend of tennis with a bunch of solid teams. We were able to tough out two good wins against really good teams. It was a great team effort all tournament by everyone. It's so fitting that Henrique clinches for us and is our MVP for the tournament. He's so deserving as he is the most consistent player in practice everyday. I'm really happy for the guys and this should help get us going with this homestand that we have."

Doubles
Wichita State earned the opening point in doubles play. The Shockers got on the board first at the No. 1 spot when the pairing of Murkel Dellien and Marius Frosa beat Johannes Seeman and Cagatay Soke 6-4. That was followed up by a 6-3 victory at the No. 3 spot from Stefan Latinovic and Benjamin Niv over Alexey Aleschev and Henrique Osorio.

Singles
Wichita State took the first match at the No. 3 spot 6-4, 7-5, but the Bulldogs took three straight to claim their first lead of the day. The first win came from Zdenek Derkas at the No. 1 spot 6-1, 6-1. Then Johannes Seeman won 6-2, 6-4 at No. 2, and finally a Daniel Baturyn win at No. 6, 6-4, 6-2, put the 'Dogs on top.

With Fresno State leading 3-2, the final two matches both went into a third set. The Shockers leveled the the dual at the No. 4 spot 6-3, 4-6, 6-2. In the final match, Osorio sealed Fresno State's win at the No. 5 position, coming back from down a set, 4-6, 7-6, 6-3.

Fresno State vs. Wichita State
Mar. 1, 2020
Fresno State 4, Wichita State 3

Doubles competition
1. Dellien/ Frosa (WS) def. Johannes Seeman/ Cagatay Soke (FS) 6-4
2. Zdenek Derkas/ Daniel Baturyn (FS) vs. Lago/ Ovil (WS) 4-4
3. Latinovic/ Niv (WS) def. Alexey Aleschev/ Henrique Osorio (FS) 6-3

Singles competition
1. Zdenek Derkas (FS) def. Murkel Dellien (WS) 6-1, 6-1
2. Johannes Seeman (FS) def. Elio Lago (WS) 6-2, 6-4
3. Orel Ovil (WS) def. Alexey Aleschev (FS) 6-4, 7-5
4. Marius Frosa (WS) def. Cagatay Soke (FS) 6-3, 4-6, 6-2
5. Henrique Osorio (FS) def. Stefan Latinovic (WS) 4-6, 7-6, 6-3
6. Daniel Baturyn (FS) def. Jui Lo (WS) 6-4, 6-2

"Fresno State Athletics: The Pride of the Valley" – The Bulldog Foundation creates championship experiences for Fresno State student-athletes as they strive for excellence in the classroom, in competition, and in life. To become a BDF member, please visit bulldogfoundation.org.

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