Pilots Cruise Past Kangaroos, 6-1
PORTLAND, Ore. --- Sophomore Alex Ferrero returned to the singles line-up by edging Tomas Patino 7-5, 6-4 and the Portland Pilots 4-through-6 players posted convincing victories over their opponents to lead the Pilots to a 6-1 victory over the visiting UMKC Kangaroos Friday at the Louisiana-Pacific Tennis Center.
Ferrero, who went 14-7 last year as a singles player last year, slid into the number three slot against UMKC after only participating in the doubles match last week. The Spanish native showed no rust, however, defeating Patino in straight sets to pick up the point for the Pilots.
"We played really well from the first point of doubles on today. We expected a tough match from UMKC and our guys were ready,” head coach Aaron Gross noted after the match. “It was really nice to have Alex Ferrero back with us in the singles. He played solid as usual for us.”
Ferrero and fellow sophomore Michel HuKwo picked up an 8-1 victory over Patino and Grant Fleming in one of the doubles matches.
Senior Geoff Hernandez also picked up a singles victory for the Pilots, defeating Conner Edwards by scores of 6-1 and 6-2 out of the four position. Sophomore Justin Guay and junior Jackson Martin won 6-1, 6-3 and 6-3, 6-2, respectively, to secure the victory for the Pilots.
“Justin Guay at #5 is flying under the radar, but he has really improved his game from the fall,” Gross added. “He played stingy tennis again today, making very few unforced errors.”
Portland has Saturday off before returning to action against Idaho on Sunday. The Pilots and Vandals will begin playing in the Louisiana-Pacific Tennis Center at 11 a.m.
“We have a tough match on Sunday against a very good Idaho team that we lost to 4-3 last year,” Gross said looking ahead to Sunday’s match. “Today was a good test to get us ready for that match."
Singles Results
1. Michel HuKwo (POR) def. Nino Hasandedic (UMKC): 6-4,6-3
2. Grant Fleming (UMKC) def. Stefan Micov (POR): 6-4,7-5
3. Alex Ferrero (POR) def. Tomas Patino (UMKC): 7-5,6-4
4. Geoff Hernandez (POR) def. Conner Edwards (UMKC): 6-1,6-2
5. Justin Guay (POR) def. Cameron Schoenhofer (UMKC): 6-1,6-3
6. Jackson Martin (POR) def. Gustavo Guerin (UMKC): 6-3,6-2
Doubles Results
1. Alex Ferrero/Michel HuKwo (POR) def. Grant Fleming/Tomas Patino (UMKC): 8-1
2. Geoff Hernandez/Stefan Micov (POR) def. Nino Hasandedic/Cameron Schoenhofer (UMKC): 8-7
3. Daniel Coelho/Justin Guay (POR) def. Max Helgeson/Gustavo Guerin (UMKC): 8-2
