Liu Perfect in Heartbreaking Caltech Men’s Tennis Defeat

Freshman Andre Liu (Novi, Mich. / Novi) notched another 2-0 day between #3 doubles and #6 singles despite a heartbreaking 5-2 loss for a shorthanded Caltech men’s tennis team at the hands of West region foe Southwestern University on Saturday.

Box Score

The Beavers’ record is even at .500 on the season while Southwestern, ranked No. 15 in the West region preseason poll, improves to 8-5.

Liu and fellow rookie Zixiao Li (Coppell, Texas / Coppell) won a hard-fought battle in doubles, 8-6, for the Beavers’ first point of the match, but the duo at #2 came up just short by the same margin after Caltech’s #1 pairing fell, 8-2.

Still without freshman Derik Nguyen (Anaheim, Calif. / Canyon), the Beavers’ singles lineup was unable to overcome the Pirates’ strength at the top. With the match played to completion, Liu was just able to record his 6-1, 6-3 victory at the bottom court before Southwestern closed out the top three. Li was also leading his match at #5 when play was ended.

Head Coach Mandy Gamble and the Beavers host No. 39 Pacific University (12-2) on Monday, Mar. 21 at 11 a.m.