Beavers Fall to Banana Slugs

ARC men's tennis took on their fourth consecutive university program when they visited UC Santa Cruz. The Banana Slugs are perennially one of the best NCAA DIII teams in the country, with 7 team national titles on their resume. In 2020 the Beavers took them to the deciding match, losing 5-4 when they 7-6 in the third set of the last match on. On this occasion, the Beavers competed well, but the match was not as close as their previous encounter. "We came out a little flat in the doubles, and weren't able to battle our way back in to any of the matches." Explained coach Bo Madison. "In the singles we found more energy, and played some great matches, but it wasn't enough today. They have a very solid team, top to bottom." In the singles Beaver Robin Sharma beat the Slug's Julian Lafond at #4 by the score 6-2, 6-4 for the Beavers' lone victory. Zac Prince matched up with former Beaver standout, and All-American, Sam Hall. The two players had an epic battle at the #3 position. Prince came out firing, dominating the first set 6-1. But Hall, known for his toughness, fought back and took the second set in a tiebreaker. In the third set 10-point tiebreak it was anyone's match, but Hall came up with the goods in the big moments, denying ARC their second win on the day. The Beavers will next compete at the Modesto Invitational Tournament, an event they have won four of the last five years it has been held.