The Hawai’i Pacific University Sharks men are ranked ninth. The Sharks beat, number four ranked and defending NCAA II semifinalist, University of Hawai’i Hilo Vulcans 6-1 Monday afternoon to close out the men’s portion of the Hawai’i Invitational.
The number 9 HPU Sharks (4-0), swept the fourth-ranked Vulcans (1-3), except for the final position.
The Sharks won doubles to take an point. HPU took the top two spots, with Jan Pleva and Jordi Walder defeating Alessio DeMichelis and Martin Soukal 6-3 at number1. Robin Sanz and Jakub Beran defeated Joshua Liu, Luca Matheiowetz and 6-1. Jan Heine and Benjamin Loccisano held a lead of 4-3 against Agustin Gentile & Luca Checchia at the time that the point was won.
After the Sharks had won the match, the featured singles match was concluded. The number 1 match between Walder and Soukal lasted three sets. Soukal won the first match 6-1, followed by Walder winning the second and third matches 6-2 and 6-3 respectively.
Nearly all the spots remaining, second, third and fourth finished together. The Sharks rose 2-0 after Beran defeated Checchia, 6-3, and 6-2 at number 4. That was followed by Sanz’s win against DeMichelis 6-3, 6-2 at number 3. Pleva took the win against Gentile 6-3, 6-0 at 2. Loccisano won against Matheiowetz 6-4, 6-2 at number 5.
The HPU Sharks lost the the last match. UH-Hilo Vulcans Liu beat Heine in split sets 6-1, 3-6, 6-3. This was the Vulcans’ only point.
The Sharks will be taking a near month-long rest from the competitive court after playing four matches since Friday.
HPU will be back in action on Thursday, March 10, when the Sharks travel to San Diego to begin a six-match Spring Break trip. Point Loma will be their opponent.
