2/21/10 - Royals Force La Sierra To Work HARD

By Stephanie Coats

Riverside, CA- Having waited nearly two weeks for their rescheduled match against La Sierra, the Royals were not going to give up easily. Even an all around strong effort by HIU, including an impressive day for Freshman Justin Sutherlin, could not stop La Sierra from winning 9-0. 

Sutherlin and fellow Freshman Christian Booher began the day with a doubles match versus Matthew and Erik Lund. All four players played stellar and the match remained close. Sutherlin and Booher racked up five game wins but could not seal the victory. They would lose 8-5.

Also fighting for a win on the doubles court were Freshmen Nathan Deghi and Mike Lipert. The partners kept up with opponents Michael Lund and Clyde Dieto through strong game play. In the end, Lund and Dieto were able to overcome the strength of Deghi and Lipert 8-5.

The third and final doubles match of the day featured Freshmen Greg Cobian and Jerry Laureano as they took on Robert Walker and Yoh Miyahara. As the Royals kept the pressure on with skilled offense and defense, Walker and Miyahara responded in kind. The match continued to go back and forth until the teams were tied at 7-7. Forcing their opponents to win by two, Cobian and Laureano pushed to claim the match. However, Walker and Miyahara slipped past them to snatch the win 9-7.

After such tough doubles play, the Royals were looking for redemption on the singles courts. Again Sutherlin would have a strong showing by taking Erik Lund to a decisive third set. Sutherlin came out swinging and ran away with the first set 6-4. Though he lost a bit of his momentum in the second set, he refused to relinquish the third so easily. Making Lund work hard for every game, Sutherlin could see the victory in sight. Lund would not back down and found the strength to win the match 2-1 (4-6, 6-2, 7-5).

For Booher, the first set belonged to Matthew Lund but he was not going to go down without a fight. Coming back in the second set, Booher more than kept up with Lund. He would force the set to a tiebreaker and looked to take the match to a third set. Lund had other ideas however, and could not be beat in the tiebreaker. Booher would lose 2-0 (6-2, 7-6).

A similar match would play out between Deghi and Michael Lund. The first set was over quick but the second one would drag as Deghi gave everything he had. While his game would speak for itself, Deghi would see the match slip through his fingers as Lund squeezed out the 2-0 (6-0, 7-5) win.

Laureano could practically taste victory during his singles match against Miyahara. A close first set proved Miyahara was not going to be easy to beat, but Laureano was up to the challenge. Going into the second set Laureano was determined to win and force a third set. He used every bit of skill and talent he had to keep Miyahara from winning, and even pushed the second set to a tiebreaker. The player from La Sierra stood firm, and Laureano was barely overcome 2-0 (6-4, 7-6).

La Sierra 9, Hope International 0

Singles

1. Robert Walker (LSU) def. Gregory Cobian (HIU) 2-0 (6-0, 6-0)
2. Yoh Miyahara (LSU) def. Jerry Laureano (HIU) 2-0 (6-4, 7-6)
3. Matthew Lund (LSU) def. Christian Booher (HIU) 2-0 (6-2, 7-6)
4. Erik Lund (LSU) def. Justin Sutherlin (HIU) 2-1 (4-6, 6-2, 7-5)
5. Michael Lund (LSU) def. Nathan Deghi (HIU) 2-0 (6-0, 7-5)
6. Clyde Dieto (LSU) def. Mike Lipert (HIU) 2-0 (6-0, 6-3)

Doubles

1. Walker/Miyahara (LSU) def. Cobian/Laureano (HIU) 9-7
2. Matthew Lund/Erik Lund (LSU) def. Booher/Sutherlin (HIU) 8-5
3. Michael Lund/Dieto (LSU) def. Deghi/Lipert (HIU) 8-5

Though the day ended in a loss for the Royals and a new record of 0-5, 0-2 GSAC, their tough play will be a source of encouragement in matches to come. The Royals will need all of their skill when they travel to Irvine to face NAIA No. 3 Concordia on Saturday.

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