4/6/10 - Deghi Wins it for the Royals

By Stephanie Coats

Fullerton, CA- Winning three matches by default did not mean the Royals cruised to a victory over La Sierra. Instead, they gave everything they had and then a little more in order to pull out their first match win of the season, 5-4, in spectacular fashion.

Beginning on the doubles courts it was apparent that the Royals were not going to accept a loss for the day. Junior Henry Valiente and Freshman Jerry Laureano effortlessly swept past opponents Michael Lund and Clyde Dieto without dropping a single game. The pair of Royals displayed a keen sense of game play and teamwork, which ultimately earned them the 8-0 win.

With that doubles win and three default points they had already been awarded, the Royals only needed one more match win to secure the victory for the day. Freshman Justin Sutherlin pushed to give his team that win in his match against Lund. Sutherlin did not give up or back down at any point in the match, continuing to come at Lund with strong serves and hits. However, Lund proved to be too much and Sutherlin fell 2-0 (6-1, 6-3).

Next, Laureano fought to win the decisive match for the Royals opposite Yoh Miyahara. Laureano kept with his opponent and battled for control for the entirety of the match. No matter how much Laureano came at Miyahara though, his opponent would not go down. Losing the first set 6-4, Laureano was even more determined to claim the second set and then the match. He held nothing back and used every skill he possessed but could not break Miyahara. Laureano would lose in identical sets 2-0 (6-4, 6-4).

Eventually the day came down to Freshman Nathan Deghi, pictured, who found himself the last Royal playing. Shouldering the responsibility of giving his team the win, Deghi refused to budge under the incredible pressure of his opponent Dieto. Tied at 5-5 in the first set, Deghi smothered Dieto’s attempts at a set win by breaking his opponent’s serve and holding his own. He relentlessly came at Dieto with will that could not be broken and a ferocity that would not be dampened. After pulling out the fantastic 7-5 first set win, Deghi breezed through the second set. He simultaneously secured a 2-0 (7-5, 6-1) win over Deito and the 5-4 win for the Royals over La Sierra.

Hope International 5, La Sierra 4

Singles

1. Brandon McCowam (LSU) def. Gregory Cobian (HIU), 2-0 (6-0, 6-0)
2. Yoh Miyahara (LSU) def. Jerry Laureano (HIU), 2-0 (6-4, 6-4)
3. Michael Lund (LSU) def. Justin Sutherlin (HIU), 2-0, (6-1, 6-3)
4. Nathan Deghi (HIU) def. Clyde Dieto (LSU), 2-0, (7-5, 6-1)
5. Christian Booher (HIU) won by default
6. Nathan Lipert (HIU) won by default

Doubles

1. McCowam/Miyahara (LSU) def. Cobian/Christian Booher (HIU), 8-1
2. Henry Valiente/Laureano (HIU) def. Lund/Dieto (LSU), 8-0
3. Sutherlin/ Deghi (HIU) won by default

The Royals now owns a 1-14 record. On Saturday at 9:00 am at Cal State Fullerton the Royals hope to add another win to their record when they host Concordia.

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