2005-06 Archives

Frick Falls to Andrus at ITA Regional

(Oct. 20, 2005) - Sophomore Christian Frick lost his first round match to Daniel Andrus of Arizona, 6-2, 6-1 in the first round of the ITA Regional at Pepperdine Thursday.

"Christian did a good job of trying to break him down, but this guy had a lot of weapons," Head Coach York Strother said of Andrus, who went on to win his second round match as well. "We saw some good things from Christian, things that we can build on."

Frick will face Anthony Gomez of SDSU in the backdraw at 9:30 AM Friday.

Frick Loses in Back Draw at ITA Regional

(Oct. 21, 2005) - Sophomore Christian Frick lost his consolation round match to Anthony Gomez of San Diego State, -4, 6-4 at the ITA Regional at Pepperdine Friday.

"From a developmental standpoint, Christian got better as the tournament went on.," Head Coach York Strother said. "He got better and we found some things we can build on."

Contreras, Norman Tam Move to Main Draw at Southern California Intercollegiates

(Nov. 2, 2005) - Senior Norman Tam and junior Mark Contreras each posted a pair of wins Wednesday to advance to the main draw of the 49th Annual Southern California Intercollegiates Championships at the Los Angeles Tennis Club.

Tam opened qualifying round play by defeating Loyola Marymount's Matt Fortune, 6-1, 6-1, then posted a second round victory over Jason Nguyen of UCLA when the latter had to retire in the first set with a 1-0 lead after suffering a twisted ankle trying to return shot by Tam.

Contreras had a bye in the first round, then defeated Leif Sunderland of UCLA, 7-6, 6-1 in the second round to reach the main draw.

Contreras will face Brent Mulden of UCSD in the opening round of the main draw, while Tam will face Richard Johnson of Pepperdine. Both matches begin at 11 AM.

UCR freshman Bobby Tam won his first round match, defeating Steve Oechel of UCSD, 7-6, 6-2, but dropped his second round match to Kevin Borzenski of Pepperdine, 6-2, 7-5.

In other opening round play, UCR sophomore Joe Cartledge fell to Eric Rubens of UCSD, 2-6, 6-2, 7-6, falling in the tie-breaker, 7-3. Junior Justin Montgomery fell to Ivan Kokurin of BYU, 6-4, 6-0 and sophomore Christian Frick lost to Trevor Dobson of UC Irvine, 6-3, 6-2.

Contreras Posts Win at Southern California Intercollegiates

(Nov. 3, 2005) - Junior Mark Contreras posted a first round win in the main draw of the 49th Annual Southern California Intercollegiates Championships at the Los Angeles Tennis Club Thursday.

Contreras posted a 7-6, 3-6, 6-2 win over Brent Mulden of UCSD to advance. Senior Norman Tam lost his first round match, 6-3, 3-6, 6-1 to Richard Johnson of Pepperdine.

In doubles play, Tam and Justin Montgomery won by default and will play their first actual match on Friday. Sophomore Joe Cartledge and junior Jon Cava fell to Mike Chan and Reyner Roxas of Loyola Marymount, 8-4, and sophomore Christian Frick and freshman Bobby Tam fell to Jaysen Chung and Jason Nguyen of UCLA, 8-5.

Contreras' Run at at Southern California Intercollegiates Comes to an End

(Nov. 4, 2005) - Junior Mark Contreras' run in the 49th Annual Southern California Intercollegiates Championships at the Los Angeles Tennis Club came to an end Friday with a loss in the round of 16.

Aaron Yovan of UCLA ended Contreras' run with a 6-4, 6-1 win.

"Mark played really well, he should feel good about how well he did in this tournament," Head Coach York Strother said

The Highlanders doubles team of junior Justin Montgomery and senior Norman Tam lost an 8-5 decision the the No. 3 seeded Mathieu Dehaine and Yovan of UCLA in their second round match.

"For the first time out, it was a pretty good match," Strother said. "We played hard right to the end. It was a really good doubles match and fun to watch. We saw a lot of good things we didn't see last year."

Strother said he was pleased with the play of his team in the tournament.

"I like a lot of what I have seen. Our young guys played a lot of good singles. For our first outing I give the guys a good rating and I am looking forward to what we learned and how we can apply it next weekend," Strother said.

Highlanders Compete at Cal Poly Invitational

(Nov. 11, 2005) - The UC Riverside Highlanders opened play at the Cal Poly Invitational in San Luis Obispo Friday with three singles wins and one double victory.

Participants in the tournament include the Mustangs, UC Riverside, UC Santa Barbara, and University of San Francisco. For Friday's matches Cal Poly faced off against UC Riverside and UC Santa Barbara played University of San Francisco.

In doubles play, sophomore Joe Cartledge and junior Mark Contreras defeated Aaron Elbert and Nick Berger of Cal Poly, 8-5.

In singles, Contreras defeated Kyle Roybal, 6-2, 6-4, Cartledge defeated Fred Dewitte 6-4, 2-6, 6-1, and junior Giancarlo Cava defeated Aaron Elbert, 6-3, 7-6. UCR came close in a pair of singles matches, as senior Norman Tam took John Nguyen to a tiebreaker before falling 4-6, 6-1, 7-6 (7-2). Junior Justin Montgomery also went into extra time, but fell to Brett Van Linge, 5-7, 6-3, 7-6 (6-3).

Play continues Saturday.

Doubles
John Nguyen/Brett Van Linge (CP) def. Justin Montgomery/Norman Tam (UCR) 8-2
Matt Baca/Kyle Roybal (CP) def. Christian Frick/Bobby Tam (UCR) 8-2
Joe Cartledge/Mark Contreras (UCR) def. Aaron Elbert/Nick Berger (CP) 8-5

Singles
John Nguyen (CP) def. Norman Tam (UCR) 4-6, 6-1 7-6 (7-2)
Brett Van Linge (CP) def. Justin Montgomery (UCR) 5-7 6-3 7-6 (7-3)
Matt Baca (CP) def. Bobby Tam (UCR) 6-3, 6-2
Mark Contreras (UCR) def. Kyle Roybal (CP) 6-2, 6-4
Joe Cartledge (UCR) def. Fred Dewitte (CP) 6-4, 2-6, 6-1
Giancarlo Cava (UCR) def. Aaron Elbert (CP) 6-3, 7-6
Christian Frick (CP) def. Nick Berger (UCR) 7-6, score unavailable.

Highlanders Continue at Cal Poly Invitational

(Nov. 12, 2005) - The UC Riverside Highlanders had their second day of play at the Cal Poly Invitational in San Luis Obispo Friday with three singles wins and one double victory for the second consecutive day.

Participants in the tournament include the Mustangs, UC Riverside, UC Santa Barbara, and University of San Francisco. For Saturday's matches the Highlanders faced off against a combination of UCSB and Cal Poly.

Saturday results appear below, and play continues Sunday.

Doubles
Scott Hohenstein/Carsten Thornstensen (UCSB) def. Justin Montgomery/Norman Tam (UCR) 8-5
Hagen Brody (UCSB)/Drew Dieteabach (CP) 9-8 def. Christian Frick/Bobby Tam (UCR) 8-2
Joe Cartledge/Mark Contreras (UCR) def. def Max Taylor/Grant Robertson (UCSB) 8-3

Singles
Norman Tam (UCR) def. Carsten Thornstensen (UCSB) 6-2, 6-3
Max Taylor (UCSB) def. Justin Montgomery (UCR) 6-3, 7-5
Mark Contreras (UCR) def. Grant Robertson (UCSB) 6-2, 4-6, 7-6
Scott Hohenstein (UCSB) def. Bobby Tam (UCR) 6-3, 3-6, 6-1
Joe Cartledge (UCR) def. Hagen Brody) 6-4, 6-2
Drew Dieteabach (CP) def. Giancarlo Cava (UCR) 6-7, 6-3, 6-2

Highlanders Gain Wins vs. USF On Third Day of Cal Poly Hidden Dual

(Nov. 13, 2005) - The UC Riverside Highlanders concluded play at the Cal Poly Invitational in San Luis Obispo Sunday with four singles wins and a split in the doubles competition against the University of San Francisco.

UCR gained two victories in doubles matches, with the teams of Mark Contreras and Christian Frick and Justin Montgomery and Bobby Tam each winning. In singles, Montgomery, Contreras and Frick all got their second victories of the day and were joined in the winner's column by Joe Cartledge.

Doubles
Mark Contreras/Christian Frick (UCR) def. Matt Barry/Mitch Del Rosario (USF) 8-5
O'Shea/Thong Tu (USF) def. Joe Cartledge/Norman Tam (UCR)
Justin Montgomery/Bobby Tam (UCR) def. Rafael Corazza/Greg Hom (USF) 8-4
Andy Hogan/Torm Ching (USF) def. Giancarlo Cava/Pedraum Rouhafza (UCR) 8-1

Singles
Matt Barry (USF) def. Norman Tam (UCR) 7-5, 6-1
Justin Montgomery (UCR) def. Thong Tu (USF) 6-0, 6-4
Mark Contreras (UCR) def. Mitch Del Rosario (USF) 6-3, 7-5
Andy Hogan (USF) def. Bobby Tam (UCR) 6-3, 6-3
Joe Cartledge (UCR) def. Rafael Corazza (USF) 6-2, 7-6
Christian Frick (UCR) def. Greg Hom (USF) 7-6, 6-3
Torm Ching (USF) def. Giancarlo Cava (UCR) 6-2, 6-4

Highlanders Shoot Down Air Force, 4-3

(Jan. 15, 2006) - The UC Riverside Highlanders won their dual match season opener against Air Force, 4-3 in Poway Sunday.

It was the bottom three singles players and second and third doubles that won the match for UCR.

"Air Force is very strong at No. 1 doubles and the top two singles are just lethal," Head Coach York Strother said. "We were just deeper than they are."

Sophomore Joe Cartledge, freshman Bobby Tam and sophomore Christian Frick had an easy time of it in singles play. None lost a game in the first set, then put the match away easily in the second set. In doubles play, the teams of junior Justin Montgomery and senior Norman Tam and Cartledge and Bobby Tam won 8-4 and 8-6, respectively.

Doubles
No. 11 Shannon Buck/Trevor Johnson (AF) def. Mark Contreras/Christian Frick (UCR), 8-4
Justin Montgomery/Norman Tam (UCR) def. Justin Lau/Robby Alexander (AF), 8-4
Joe Cartledge/Bobby Tam (UCR) def. Keith Cronican/White (AF), 8-6

Singles
No. 15 Shannon Buck (AF) def. Norman Tam (UCR) 6-0, 6-2
Trevor Johnson (AF) def. Mark Contreras (UCR) 6-4, 0-6, 6-4
Justin Lau (AF) def. Justin Montgomery (UCR) 7-5, 6-2
Joe Cartledge (UCR) def. Robby Alexander (AF) 6-0, 6-3
Bobby Tam (UCR) def. Keith Cronican (AF) 6-0, 6-2
Christian Frick (UCR) def. Greg Ferry (AF) 6-0, 6-1

Highlanders Shoot Down Air Force, 4-3

(Jan. 15, 2006) - The UC Riverside Highlanders won their dual match season opener against Air Force, 4-3 in Poway Sunday.

It was the bottom three singles players and second and third doubles that won the match for UCR.

"Air Force is very strong at No. 1 doubles and the top two singles are just lethal," Head Coach York Strother said. "We were just deeper than they are."

Sophomore Joe Cartledge, freshman Bobby Tam and sophomore Christian Frick had an easy time of it in singles play. None lost a game in the first set, then put the match away easily in the second set. In doubles play, the teams of junior Justin Montgomery and senior Norman Tam and Cartledge and Bobby Tam won 8-4 and 8-6, respectively.

Doubles
No. 11 Shannon Buck/Trevor Johnson (AF) def. Mark Contreras/Christian Frick (UCR), 8-4
Justin Montgomery/Norman Tam (UCR) def. Justin Lau/Robby Alexander (AF), 8-4
Joe Cartledge/Bobby Tam (UCR) def. Keith Cronican/White (AF), 8-6

Singles
No. 15 Shannon Buck (AF) def. Norman Tam (UCR) 6-0, 6-2
Trevor Johnson (AF) def. Mark Contreras (UCR) 6-4, 0-6, 6-4
Justin Lau (AF) def. Justin Montgomery (UCR) 7-5, 6-2
Joe Cartledge (UCR) def. Robby Alexander (AF) 6-0, 6-3
Bobby Tam (UCR) def. Keith Cronican (AF) 6-0, 6-2
Christian Frick (UCR) def. Greg Ferry (AF) 6-0, 6-1

Highlanders Lose to SDSU, 6-1

(Jan. 21, 2006) - The 43rd-ranked San Diego State men's tennis team defeated the visiting UC Riverside Highlanders, 6-1 at Aztec Tennis Center. With the triumph, the Aztecs improve to 1-0, while the Highlanders drop to 1-1 on the year.

UCR's lone win came at No. 4 singles as Joe Cartledge defeated Billy Timu, 6-4, 6-3.

SDSU jumped to an early 1-0 lead after sweeping all three doubles matches. Freshman Bobby Tam extended No. 84 Robert Sabo to three sets, 5-7, 6-3, 6-3, before falling.

NO. 43 SAN DIEGO STATE 6, UC RIVERSIDE 1
Doubles
Stronk/Dickhardt (SDSU) def. Contreras/Frick (UCR), 8-2.
S. Timu/Sabo (SDSU) def. Montgomery/N. Tam (UCR), 8-4.
Groh/B. Timu (SDSU) def. Cava/B. Tam (SDSU), 8-3.

Singles
Benedikt Stronk (SDSU) def. Norman Tam (UCR), 6-2, 6-4.
Markus Dickhardt (SDSU) def. Mark Contreras (UCR), 6-0, 6-1.
Christian Groh (SDSU) def. Justin Montgomery (UCR), 6-1, 6-1.
Joe Cartledge (UCR) def. Billy Timu (SDSU), 6-4, 6-3.
No. 84 Robert Sabo (SDSU) def. Bobby Tam (UCR), 5-7, 6-3, 6-3.
Stephan Timu (SDSU) def. Christian Frick (UCR), 6-2, 6-2.

Highlanders Defeat UCSD, 6-1

(Feb. 4, 2006) - The UC Riverside Highlanders improved to 2-1 on the season with a sound 6-1 win over the visiting University of California, San Diego at the Student Recreation Center Tennis Courts Saturday.

The Highlanders started the day off well as they took the No. 1 and No. 3 doubles matches to take that point. At No. 1 Mark Contreras and Christian Frick defeated Brent Molden and Eric Rubens, 8-5, while at No. 3, Justin Montgomery and Bobby Tam defeated Kazumi Negishi and Ramesh Thondapu, 8-4.

With the doubles point in hand, the Highlanders put the match away with solid singles play. No. 1 Norman Tam, No. 2 Mark Contreras, No. 4 Joe Cartledge, No. 5 Bobby Tam and No. 6 Christian Frick all won in singles play for the Highlanders.

"We had not beaten UCSD since turning to Division I, and this year we took it to them," Head Coach York Strother said. "They are a team we have to beat, and we did."

UC Riverside 6, UCSD 1
Doubles
Contreras/Frick (UCR) def. Molden/Rubens (UCSD), 8-5.
Oijala/Meister (UCSD) def. Cartledge/N. Tam (UCR), 8-4.
Montgomery/B. Tam (UCR)/Negishi/Thondapu (UCSD), 8-4.

Singles
Norman Tam (UCR) def Brent Molden (UCSD)6-1, 6-1.
Mark Contreras (UCR) def Eric Oijala (UCSD), 6-0, 6-2.
Eric Rubens (UCSD) def. Justin Montgomery (UCR), 7-6, 1-6, (10-7).
Joe Cartledge (UCR) def. Blake Meister (UCSD), 6-1, 6-4.
Bobby Tam (UCR) def Kazumi Negishi (UCSD), 6-3, 6-3.
Christian Frick (UCR) def. Ramesh Thondapu (UCSD), 2-6, 6-3, (10-8).

Highlanders Fall to New Mexico State in Las Vegas

(Feb. 10, 2006) - The New Mexico State Aggies handed the UC Riverside Highlanders a 6-1 loss in a non-conference match at the Fertitta Tennis Complex in Las Vegas Friday. The Highlanders fell to 2-2.

Mark Contreras got the Highlanders' lone point with a 5-7, 7-5, (10-6) win over Brice Maganou, but by then the overall match had long since been decided.

Justin Montgomery also went three sets before falling to Roman Stoisavljevic, 7-6, 5-7, (10-5).

NMSU 6, UCR 1
Doubles
1. Beg/Maganou (NMSU) def. Contreras/Frick (UCR) 8-5
2. Stoisavljevic/America (NMSU) def. Norman Tam/Cartledge (UCR) 8-5
3. Gorostiaga/Pfeifer (NMSU) def. Bobby Tam/Montgomery (UCR) 9-7

Singles
1. Stjepan Beg (NMSU) def. Norman Tam (UCR) 7-5, 6-1
2. Mark Contreras (UCR) def. Brice Maganou (NMSU) 5-7, 7-5 1-0 (10-6)
3. Roman Stoisavljevic (NMSU) def. Justin Montgomery (UCR) 7-6, 5-7, 1-0 (10-5)
4. Ricardo Gorostiaga (NMSU) def. Joe Cartledge (UCR) 6-3, 6-4
5. Christian Halligan (NMSU) def. Christian Frick (UCR) 6-4, 6-4
6. Tim America (NMSU) def. Bobby Tam (UCR) 6-1, 7-6

UCR Cruises Past Southern Mississippi in Vegas

(Feb. 11, 2006) - The UC Riverside Highlanders improved to 3-2 on the season with a 6-1win over Southern Mississippi at the Fertitta Tennis Complex in Las Vegas Saturday.

UCR won the doubles point with wins from the No. 1 team of Mark Contreras and Christian Frick, who defeated Marc Lux and Juan Garzon, 8-6, and the No. 3 combo of Bobby Tam and Justin Montgomery who defeated Reid Bourgeois and Andrew Poole, 8-6.

The Highlanders took 5-of-6 singles matches, including three decisive matches at No. 1, 3 and 5. Norman Tam posted a 6-1, 6-3 win over Lux at No. 1, Justin Montgomery had a 6-3, 6-4 win over Domagoj Anic at No. 3 singles, and Bobby Tam posted a 6-2, 6-2 win over Dylan Mezey at No. 5. At No. 6 Frick had a 7-5, 7-5 win over Poole, and Contreras completed the domination when his opponent at No. 2, Garzon, retired trailing 3-1 in the third set.

UC Riverside 6, Southern Mississipi 1
Doubles
1. Contreras/Frick (UCR) def. Lux/Garzon (USM) 8-6
2. Anic/Mezey (USM) def. Norman Tam/Cartledge (UCR) 8-0
3. Bobby Tam/Montgomery (UCR) def. Bourgeois/Poole (USM) 8-6
Singles
1. Norman Tam (UCR) def. def. Marc Lux (USM) 6-1, 6-3
2. Mark Contreras (UCR) def. Juan Garzon (USM) 7-5, 1-6, 3-1 retired
3. Justin Montgomery (UCR) def. Domagoj Anic (USM) 6-3, 6-4
4. Reid Bourgeois (USM) def. Joe Cartledge (UCR) 5-7, 6-0, 6-3
5. Bobby Tam (UCR) Dylan Mezey (USM) 6-2, 6-2
6. Christian Frick (UCR) Andrew Poole (USM) 7-5, 7-5

UCR Falls to No. 59 UNLV, 6-1

(Feb. 12, 2006) - The UC Riverside Highlanders fell to 3-3 on the season with a 6-1 loss to No. 59 UNLV at the Fertitta Tennis Complex in Las Vegas Sunday.

UCR's win came at No. 1 singles, as senior Norman Tam came back to post a 7-5, 1-6, 6-1 win over Romain Massaro. Sophomore Joe Cartledge went to three sets with David Campbell, but fell 2-6, 7-6, 6-4.

"Norman played very well and we had some hard fought matches. They were just consistantly one shot better than us," Head Coach York Strother said.

UNLV 6, UC Riverside 1
Doubles
1. Wronski/Hunter (UNLV) def. Contreras/Frick (UCR) 8-0
2. Campbell/Hooper (UNLV) def. Montgomery/Cartledge (UCR) 8-3
3. Massaro/Burrows (UNLV) def. Giancarlo Cava/Bobby Tam (UCR) 8-4
Singles
1. Norman Tam (UCR) def. Romain Massaro (UNLV) 7-5, 1-6, 6-1
2. Brett Hunter (UNLV) def. Mark Contreras (UCR) 6-4, 6-4
3. Elliot Wronski (UNLV) def. Justin Montgomery (UCR) 6-0, 6-1
4. David Campbell (UNLV) def. Joe Cartledge (UCR) 2-6, 7-6, 6-4
5. Jonathan Hooper (UNLV) def. Bobby Tam (UCR) 6-4, 6-3
6. Wesley Burrows (UNLV) def. Christian Frick (UCR) 6-1, 6-1

UCR Wins 4-3 at UC Davis

(Feb. 18, 2006) - The UC Riverside Highlanders clinched a 4-3 victory at UC Davis on Saturday afternoon thanks to four singles victories. The Highlanders improve to 4-3 while dropping the Aggies to 1-6.

In a match that featured singles play before doubles, the Highlanders won four of six in singles to clinch the victory. Michael Chin picked up wins in singles and doubles as the Aggies dropped to 1-6 on the year. The first singles match to finish was at no. 6 where Bastian Bartels put UC Davis up 1-0 with a 6-4, 6-3 win over Giancarlo Cava. UC Riverside (4-3) then won the next three matches. At no. 3, Justin Montgomery defeated Jordan Combs in straight sets to tie the match at 1-1. The remainder of the matches took three sets to finish. At no. 4, Casey McMakin was defeated by Joe Cartledge, 6-0, 2-6, 7-5, as the Highlanders gained a 2-1 advantage. The lead increased to 3-1 when Norman Tam outlasted Jayce Fitch at no. 1, 6-2, 1-6, 6-4.

The Aggies battled back to within 3-2 when Chin took a 7-6, 4-6, 6-4 decision over Mark Contreras at no. 2. That meant the result of the match at no. 5 between Henri Landes and Bobby Tam would determine if doubles would be needed to decide the match. Tam would ultimately win that match by a score of 3-6, 7-5, 7-6 to give UC Riverside a 4-2 lead which clinched the victory.

In doubles, the Aggies won two out of three with Chin and Justin Garcia claiming a victory at no. 1 and Combs and Fitch doing the same at no. 2.

The Highlanders open Big West Conference play on Sunday at the University of the Pacific.

UC Riverside 4, UC Davis 3

Singles

1. Norman Tam (UCR) d. Jayce Fitch (UCD), 6-2, 1-6, 6-4.
2. Michael Chin (UCD) d. Mark Contreras (UCR), 7-6, 4-6, 6-4.
3. Justin Montgomery (UCR) d. Jordan Combs (UCD), 6-2, 6-4.
4. Joe Cartledge (UCR) d. Casey McMakin (UCD), 6-0, 2-6, 7-5.
5. Bobby Tam (UCR) d. Henri Landes (UCD), 3-6, 7-5, 7-6.
6. Bastian Bartels (UCD) d. Giancarlo Cava (UCR), 6-4, 6-3.

Doubles

1. Chin/Garcia (UCD) d. Contreras/Frick (UCR), 8-0.
2. Combs/Fitch (UCD) d. Cartledge/Cava (UCR), 9-8.
3. B. Tam/N. Tam (UCR) d. C. McMakin/Kyle McMakin (UCD), 8-6.

Highlanders Drop Big West Opener at Pacific

(Feb. 19, 2006) - The Pacific Tigers men's tennis team captured a 5-2 win over Big West Conference rival UC Riverside on Sunday. With the win the Tigers moved to 6-2 on the season and 2-0 in the Big West Conference, while UC Riverside fell to 4-4 overall and 0-1 in conference play.

Sophomore Joe Cartledge and freshman Bobby Tam provided the only points for the Highlanders, who were swept in the doubles section earlier in the day.

UC Riverside 2, Pacific 5

Singles
1. No. 67 Arnar Sigurdsson (PAC) def. Norman Tam (UCR), 6-3, 6-0
2. Jorgen Vestli (PAC) def. Mark Contreras (UCR), 6-2, 6-1
3. Vladimir Zdravkovic (PAC) def. Justin Montgomery (UCR), 6-2, 6-0
4. Joe Cartledge (UCR) def. Tim Koniarski (PAC), 2-6, 6-3, 6-3
5. Bobby Tam (UCR) def. Alan Kelly (PAC), 6-3, 6-3
6. Moritz Starke (PAC) def. Giancarlo Cava (UCR), 6-0, 6-0

Doubles
1. Vestil/Zdravkovic (PAC) def. Contreras/Christian Frick (UCR) 8-4
2. Sigurdsson/Koniarski (PAC) def. Montgomery/N. Tam (UCR) 8-4
3. Starke/Kelly (PAC) def. Cava/Cartledge (UCR) 9-7

Highlanders Lose to ETSU, 7-0

(Feb. 23, 2006) - East Tennessee State University handed the UC Riverside Highlanders a 7-0 loss in a non-conference match in San Diego Wednesday. UCR fell to 4-5 with the loss.

The Highlanders lost in straight sets, with Joe Cartledge coming the closest to with a 7-5, 6-4 loss to Juan Crosa at No. 4 singles.

"ETSU is a great team. They went to the NCAA Tournament last year and we need that kind of our team on our schedule," UCR Head Coach York Strother said. "They were righteous."

ETSU 7, UC Riverside 0
Singles
1. Oscar Posada (ETSU) def. Norman Tam (UCR), 6-2, 6-1
2. Felix Insaurralde (ETSU) def. Mark Contreras (UCR), 6-1, 6-1
3. Enrique Olivares (ETSU) def. Justin Montgomery (UCR), 6-1, 6-2
4. Juan Crosa (ETSU) def. Joe Cartledge (UCR), 7-5, 6-4
5. Lisandro Picardo (ETSU) def. Bobby Tam (UCR), 6-0, 6-1
6. Sebastian Serrano (ETSU) def. Christian Frick(UCR), 6-3, 6-3

Doubles
1. Posada/Crosa (ETSU) def. Contreras/Christian Frick (UCR) 8-5
2. Insaurralde/Picard (ETSU) def. Montgomery/N. Tam (UCR) 8-4
3. Olivares/Serrano (ETSU) def. Giancarlo Cava/Cartledge (UCR) 8-1

Highlanders Defeat Cal Poly, 4-3

(Feb. 26, 2006) - The UC Riverisde Highlanders posted a 4-3 win over the visiting Cal Poly Mustangs in a Big West Conference contest at the Student Recreation Center Tennis Courts in Riverside Saturday. UCR improved to 5-5 on the season, 2-1 in the Big West.

UCR got off to a good start by winning the doubles point. The team of Joe Cartledge and Norman Tam defeated Matt Baca and Kyle Roybal at No. 2, 8-4. At No. 3, Justin Montgomery and Bobby Tam defeated Meyerwitz and Berger, 8-2.

The match went right down to the wire, as two of the Highlanders three singles wins went to three sets. Christian Frick had a relatively easy time at No. 6 with a 6-1, 6-3 win over Darryn Young. Mark Contreras went to a full three sets against Matt Baca, coming from behind to post a 5-7, 6-3, 6-4 win. But the match winner was the No. 5 battle between Bobby Tam and Kyle Roybal, which went as far as it could go before the younger Tam held on for a grueling 6-2, 6-7, 7-6 (8-6) win to give the Highlanders the match.

UC Riverside 4, Cal Poly 3
Singles
1. John Nguyen (CP) def. Norman Tam (UCR) 2-6, 6-2, 6-4
2. Mark Contreras (UCR) def. Matt Baca (CP) 5-7, 6-3, 6-4
3. Brett Van Linge (CP) def. Joe Cartledge (UCR) 1-6, 6-3, 6-2
4. Fred Dewitte (CP) def. Justin Montgomery (UCR) 6-3, 6-1
5. Bobby Tam (UCR) def. Kyle Roybal (CP) 6-2, 6-7, 7-6, (8-6)
6. Christian Frick (UCR) def. Darryn Young (CP) 6-1, 6-3

Doubles
1. Nguyen/Van Linge (CP) def. Contreras/Frick (UCR) 8-5
2. Cartledge/N. Tam (UCR) def. Baca/Roybal (CP) 8-4
3. Montgomery/B. Tam (UCR) def. Meyerowitz/Berger (CP) 8-2

Match Vs. Vanguard Postponed

(March 3, 2006) - The men’s tennis match between UC Riverside and Vanguard University, scheduled for Friday, March 3, has been postponed due to inclement weather. No make-up date has been set.

The Highlanders host Boston College next Thursday, March 9, at 2 p.m. at the Student Recreation Center Courts.

Highlanders Clip Boston College, 5-2

(Mar. 9, 2006) - The UC Riverisde Highlanders came off an 11-day layoff in fine fashion with a solid 5-2 win over visiting Boston College Thursday.

The Highlanders took the doubles' point as they swept the three matches, then won four-of-six singles matches to take the win.

UC Riverside 5, Boston College 2
Singles
1 Soma Kesthely (BC) def. Norman Tam (UCR) 2-6,6-3,7-5
2 Mark Contreras (UCR) def. Jason Sechrist (BC) 7-5,4-6,6-4
3 Joe Cartledge (UCR) def. Alex Rastorgouev (BC) 7-5,6-3
4 Bobby Tam (UCR) def. Brian Hartness (BC) 6-2,6-1
5 Christian Frick (UCR) def. Michael Reiser (BC) 7-6,7-5
6 Zach Wolfe (BC) def. Giancarlo Cava (UCR) 5-7,6-0,6-3

Doubles
1 Mark Contreras/Christian Frick (UCR) def. Soma Kesthely/Jason Sechrist (BC), 8-2
2 Norman Tam/Joe Cartledge (UCR) def. Sam Wagner/Alex Rastorgouev (BC), 8-4
3 Bobby Tam/Jordan Peana (UCR) def. Geoff Mueller/Brian Hartness (BC), 8-6

Highlanders and Utah Rained Out

(Mar. 12, 2006) - The men's tennis match between UC Riverside and visiting No. 48 Utah was interrupted by rain with the Utes leading 2-0. It will not be made up or continued.

The Utes won the doubles point with a sweep, then won at No. 1 singles as Zach Ganger defeated Norman Tam, 6-0, 6-1.

Highlanders Blow Out Gonzaga, 6-1

(Mar. 13, 2006) - The UC Riverside Highlanders defeated the visiting Gonzaga Bulldogs 6-1 in a non-conference tennis match at the Student Recreation Center Tennis Courts in Riverside Monday.

The Highlanders had an easy time with the Bulldogs, sweeping the doubles point and taking the top five singles matches, three of them coming in straight sets.

UC Riverside 6, Gonzaga 1
Singles
1 Norman Tam (UCR) def. Reid Arthur (GU), 6-0, 6-3
2 Mark Contreras (UCR) def. Brett Womack (GU), 6-3, 3-6, 7-6
3 Joe Cartledge (UCR) def. Robert Penney (GU), 6-0, 6-4
4 Bobby Tam (UCR) def. Marco Pineda (GU), 2-6, 6-1, 6-1
5 Christian Frick (UCR) Cooper Fratt (GU), 6-2, 6-4
6 Zach Wolfe (BC) def. Giancarlo Cava (UCR), 6-1, 6-4

Doubles
1 Mark Contreras/Christian Frick (UCR) def. Arthur/Napolsky (GU), 8-5
2 Norman Tam/Joe Cartledge (UCR) def. Womack/Pineda (GU), 8-2
3 Bobby Tam/Jordan Peana (UCR) def. Fratt/Penny (GU), 8-5

Highlanders Rally to Beat Montana State, 4-3

(Mar. 14, 2006) - Mark Contreras battled back from a set down to win the decisive singles match 2-6, 7-5, 6-3 as UC Riverside defeated Montana State 4-3 in a non-conference tennis match Tuesday afternoon at the Student Recreation Center Courts. The victory was the fourth in a row for the Highlanders, giving them a Division I record for wins at 8-5.

Montana State swept the doubles matches, only to see the Highlanders rally during singles play. All the matches were close, with UCR winning the middle four. Joe Cartledge, Bobby Tam, and Christian Frick all recorded straight-set victories, setting up Contreras’ clincher.

UCR returns to Big West Conference play on Friday when it hosts UC Santa Barbara at 2 p.m.

UC Riverside 4 Montana State 3
Doubles
Marek Gebicki/Kyle McDonald (MSU) def. Mark Contreras/Christian Frick (UCR) 9-7
Tejeshwara Chigateri/Federico Ueltschi (MSU) def. Joe Cartledge/Norman Tam (UCR) 8-5
Jake Berriochoa/Justin Hauck (MSU) def. Jordan Peana/Bobby Tam (UCR) 8-6

Singles
Ueltschi (MSU) def. N. Tam (UCR) 6-4, 7-6
Contreras (UCR) def. Gebicki (MSU) 2-6, 7-6, 6-3
Cartledge (UCR) def. McDonald (MSU) 7-5, 6-3
B. Tam (UCR) def. Chigateri (MSU) 6-3, 6-2
Frick (UCR) def. Dybala (MSU) 7-6, 7-5
Berriochoa (MSU) def. Peana (UCR) 7-6, 6-4

Highlanders Drop 6-1 Decision to UAB

(Mar. 27, 2006) - The visiting UC Riverside Highlanders lost a 6-1 decision to host University of Alabama, Birmingham Monday in Birmingham. UCR is now 8-6 on the season.

The Highlanders took one doubles match as Jordan Peana and Bobby Tam topped Johannes Spangenberg and Thomas Weiss, 8-6, at No. 3, but could not prevail at No. 1 or 2, losing by identical 8-6 scores.

In singles play, Mark Contreras got the Highlanders' lone win, defeating Kristijan Mitrovski at No. 2 singles, 6-4, 7-6.

"It was a tough day, and they are a good team," Head Coach York Strother said. "We just didn't step up at the right time."

UCR plays at Memphis on Tuesday.

Alabama-Birmingham 6, UC Riverside 1
Singles
1. Anton Mavrin (UAB) def. Norman Tam (UCR), 6-2, 6-3
2. Mark Contreras (UCR) def. Kristijan Mitrovski (UAB), 6-4, 7-6
3. Sebastian Falk (UAB) def. Joe Cartledge (UCR), 6-3, 6-1
4. Andre Maier (UAB) def. Bobby Tam (UCR), 6-1, 6-2
5. Johannes Spangenberg (UAB) def. Christian Frick (UCR), 7-6, 6-0
6. Kruno Despotovski (UAB) def. Gorjan Kovacevic (UCR), 6-1, 6-0

Doubles
1. Mitrovski/Mavrin (UAB) def. Contreras/Christian Frick (UCR) 8-6
2. Falk/Maier (UAB) def. Cartledge/N. Tam (UCR) 8-6
3. Jordan Peana/B. Tam (UCR) def. Thomas Weiss/Spangenberg(UCR) 8-6

Highlanders Fall to Memphis 4-3

(Mar. 28, 2006) - The visiting UC Riverside Highlanders lost a squeaker to the host University of Memphis Tuesday, losing 4-3 in a non-conference match. UCR is now 8-7 on the season.

Memphis took the doubles' point to open the match despite Joe Cartledge and Bobby Tam's 8-6 win at No. 2. The teams then split the singles matches, with wins by No. 1 Mark Contreras, No. 5 Giancarlo Cava and No. 6 Goran Kovacevic. Contreras went three sets to defeat Sam Withell, 6-3, 5-7, 6-3, while Cava needed just two to peat Tezar Putra, 6-2, 6-4. Kovacevic went to the super tiebreaker against Garrison Pilant and prevailed 7-5, 6-7, 10-8.

The Highlanders had an opportunity to take the match, as freshman Bobby Tam went to the wall with Memphis' Matt Brewer in the No. 4 singles match. But Brewer prevailed, 6-2, 6-7, 6-4.

"Memphis is a good club, but we could have played better," Strother said. "I am very happy with the Herculean efforts I saw in singles play. I am very proud of the guys."

UCR faces Middle Tennessee State in Murfreesboro, TN on Wednesday, then faces Tennessee Tech in Cookville, TN on Thursday.

Memphis 4, UC Riverside 3
Singles
1. Mark Contreras (UCR) def. James Spence (M), 6-3, 5-7, 6-3
2. James Spence (M) def. Norman Tam (UCR), 6-3, 7-5
3. Michael Jetter (M) def. Joe Cartledge (UCR), 6-0, 6-0
4. Matt Brewer (M) def. Bobby Tam (UCR), 6-2, 6-7, 6-4
5. Giancarlo Cava (UCR) def. Tezar Putra (M), 6-2, 6-4
6. Gorjan Kovacevic (UCR) def. Garrison Pilant (M), 7-5, 6-7, 10-8

Doubles
1. Spence/Withell (M) def. Contreras/Christian Frick (UCR), 8-2
2. Cartledge/N. Tam (UCR) def. Putra/Brewer (M), 8-6
3. Pilant/Jetter (M) def. Jordan Peana/B. Tam (UCR), 8-3

Highlanders Fall 5-2 At Tennessee Tech

(Mar. 29, 2006) - UC Riverside had opportunities but could not take advantage, losing 5-2 at Tennessee Tech Wednesday afternoon at Cookeville, TN. The Highlanders close out their three-match road trip at 0-3 to fall to 8-8 on the season.

UCR swept the doubles matches to earn the point and then went ahead 2-0 when Mark Contreras defeated Shunsuke Shimizu 6-3, 6-1 at #1 singles. Needing two more singles victories to win the match, the Highlanders could not close it out as Joe Cartledge and Gorjan Kovacevic each lost in three sets.

“Tennessee Tech is a very good team,” Head Coach York Strother said. “We had our opportunities but we blinked. We have accomplished our goal of playing good teams on this trip and it has been a great learning experience.”

Contreras’ victory extended his school single-season record to 15 and his UCR career record to 33.

The Highlanders return home tomorrow and will face the University of Arkansas, Little Rock on Friday in Irvine.

Tennessee Tech 5, UC Riverside 2

Singles
1. Mark Contreras (UCR) def. Shunsuke Shimizu (TTU), 6-3, 6-1
2. Borja Zarco (TTU) def. Norman Tam (UCR), 6-2, 7-5
3. Tiago Gilioli (TTU) def. Joe Cartledge (UCR), 1-6, 6-1, 6-2
4. Holger Schaffers (TTU) def. Bobby Tam (UCR), 6-0, 6-1
5. Juan Carlos Rabaza (TTU) def. Christian Frick (UCR), 6-3, 6-1
6. Juan Pablo Gomez (TTU) def. Gorjan Kovacevic (UCR), 3-6, 6-2, 6-2

Doubles
1. Contreras/Frick (UCR) def. Shimizu/Schaffers (TTU), 8-5
2. Cartledge/N. Tam (UCR) def. Rabaza/Will Chappell (TTU), 8-1
3. Jordan Peana/B. Tam (UCR) def. Zarco/Gilioli (TTU), 8-2

Highlanders Fall 5-2 To Arkansas, Little Rock

(Mar. 31, 2006) - The road-weary UC Riverside Highlanders could not overcome their fourth match in five days and three states, losing to the University of Arkansas-Little Rock 5-2 in the UC Irvine Anteater Classic on Friday. The Trojans improve to 17-4 for the season as the Highlanders drop their fourth straight match to fall to 8-9.

UALR won the doubles point after close matches. Eduardo Autran and Edson Abrao won 8-3 over Christian Frick and Mark Contreras to give the Trojans the lead but UCR responded as Bobby Tam and Jordan Peana won 9-8 at No. 3 doubles. Dinko Halachev and Karlis Miljons took the No. 2 doubles 9-7 over Norman Tam and Joe Cartledge to clinch the point.

For the second match in a row, UCR looked to rally in singles play but the toll of travel was too much. Contreras won his fourth consecutive singles match, beating Autran 6-1, 6-1 and Bobby Tam defeated Ivan Milivojevic 6-4, 6-2 for UCR's only two points. Frick and Norman Tam each led by a set but could not put it away. Halachev won at No. 2 singles 3-6, 6-0, 6-1 over Norman Tam, while Abrao defeated Cartledge 6-4, 6-0 at the No. 3 position. At No. 5 singles, Gerard Galindo won over Frick 5-7, 6-3, 6-0, and Juan Carlos Nunez won 6-0, 6-1 against Gorjan Kovacevic.

UCR takes a week break, returning to the courts Saturday, April 1 in a Big West Conference match at UC Irvine.

Arkansas-Little Rock 5, UC Riverside 2

Singles
1. Mark Contreras (UCR) def. Eduardo Autran (UALR), 6-1, 6-1
2. Dinko Halachev (UALR) def. Norman Tam (UCR), 3-6, 6-0, 6-1
3. Edson Abrao (UALR) def. Joe Cartledge (UCR), 6-4, 6-0
4. Bobby Tam (UCR) def. Ivan Milivojevic (UALR), 6-4, 6-2
5. Gerard Galindo (UALR) def. Christian Frick (UCR), 5-7, 6-3, 6-0
6. Juan Carlos Nunez (UALR) def. Gorjan Kovacevic (UCR), 6-0, 6-1

Doubles
1. Autran/Abrao (UALR) def. Contreras/Frick (UCR), 8-3
2. Halachev/Karlis Miljons (UALR) def. Cartledge/N. Tam (UCR), 9-7
3. Jordan Peana/B. Tam (UCR) def. German Perez/Rain Rogas (UALR), 9-8

Highlanders Fall 5-2 at UC Irvine

(Apr. 8, 2006) - UC Irvine defeated UC Riverside 5-2 Saturday afternoon in Big West Conference play at Anteater Tennis Stadium. The Highlanders have now lost five straight matches to fall to 8-10, 1-2 in the Big West.

The Anteaters won doubles matches at the No. 1 and No. 3 slots to clinch the doubles point. Mustafa Ulukan and Trevor Dobson defeated Mark Contreras and Joe Cartledge 8-4 in the No. 1 match. Victor Lamm and Alex Sundling defeated Bobby Tam and Jordan Peana 8-1 in the No. 3 match.

In singles, the two teams split matches at the No. 1, No. 4, No. 5 and No. 6 spots, putting UCI up 3-2. UCR got victories from Tam and junior Justin Montomery to grab UCR's points. But Victor Lamm defeated Mark Contreras 6-4, 6-2 in the No. 1 match and Alex Sundling defeated Christian Frick 6-0, 6-3 in the No. 5 match. Aaron Ellis clinched the team victory for UCI as he defeated Norman Tam 7-6, 7-5 in the No. 2 slot. Mustafa Ulukan ended the day with a 6-4, 7-6, 13-11 win over Cartledge in the No. 3 match.

UCR returns home after five consecutive road matches to host Northern Arizona University on Friday, April 14 at 1 p.m. at the Student Recreation Center Tennis Courts.

UC Irvine 5, UC Riverside 2

Singles
No. 1 Victor Lamm (UCI) def. Mark Contreras (UCR) 6-4, 6-2
No. 2 Aaron Ellis (UCI) def. Norman Tam (UCR) 7-6, 7-5
No. 3 Mustafa Ulukan (UCI) def. Joe Cartledge (UCR) 6-4, 7-6, 13-11
No. 4 Bobby Tam (UCR) def. Andrei Radulescu (UCI) 6-3, 6-0
No. 5 Alex Sundling (UCI) def. Christian Frick (UCI) 6-0, 6-3
No. 6 Justin Montgomery (UCR) def. Trevor Dobson (UCI) 6-2, 6-0

Doubles
No. 1 Ulukan/Dobson (UCI) def. Contreras/Cartledge (UCR) 8-4
No. 2 N. Tam/Frick (UCR) def. Ellis/Radulescu (UCI) 8-4
No. 3 Lamm/Sundling (UCI) def. Peana/B. Tam (UCR) 8-1

Highlanders Sweep Past Vanguard

(April 11, 2006) - The UC Riverside Highlanders snapped their five-match losing streak with a 7-0 win over visiting Vanguard University in a non-conference match at the Student Recreation Center Tennis Courts Tuesday.

The Highlanders are now 9-10 overall, 1-2 in the Big West.

UCR swept the doubles point, including a shutout win by the team of Mark Contreras and Joe Cartledge over Vasielious Psyrras and Thomas Frank at No. 1 doubles. UCR then got quick wins at No. 6 and No. 4 behind Giancarlo Cava's 6-1, 6-0 win over Michael Martin and Bobby Tam's 6-1, 6-1 win over William Strom. No. 1 Contreras clinched the match for the Highlanders with a 6-2, 6-3 win over Gregory Chevalier.

Justin Montgomery won at No. 5, defeating Frank, 6-4, 6-1, and Norman Tam and Cartledge completed the sweep with super tiebreaker wins. Tam, playing at No. 2, defeated Andreas Reckziegel, 6-7, 6-1, (10-7), and No. 3 Cartledge beat Psyrras 6-4, 3-6, (10-8).

"I was really pleased with the way we competed. We have played better tennis in other matches, but competed well today," Head Coach York Strother said. "We faced some similar situations to what we had at UC Irvine, but we took ownership of the match and didn't let that beat us."

UC Riverside 7, Vanguard 0

Singles
No. 1 Mark Contreras (UCR) def. Gregory Chevalier (V), 6-2, 6-3
No. 2 Norman Tam (UCR) def. Andreas Reckziegel (V), 6-7, 6-1 (10-7)
No. 3 Joe Cartledge (UCR) def. Vasileios Psyrras (V), 6-4, 3-6, (10-8)
No. 4 Bobby Tam (UCR) def. William Strom (V), 6-1, 6-1
No. 5 Justin Montgomery (UCR) def. Thomas Frank (V), 6-4, 6-1
No. 6 Giancarlo Cava (UCR) def. Michael Martin (V), 6-1, 6-0

Doubles
No. 1 Contreras/Cartledge (UCR) def. Psyrras/Frank (V), 8-0
No. 2 N. Tam/Frick (UCR) def. Chevalier/Strom (V), 9-8
No. 3 Lamm/Sundling (UCI) def. Reckziegel/Martin (V), 8-6

Match vs. N. Arizona Cancelled

(April 14, 2006) - The men’s tennis match between UC Riverside and Northern Arizona University, scheduled for Friday, April 14, has been cancelled due to inclement weather. No make-up date will been set.

The teams moved the original start time from 1 p.m. to noon in an effort to get a jump on a storm approaching the Riverside area but it began raining just as the teams got on the courts. They pushed back the start time back to 3 p.m. but the courts were still too damp to play.

The Highlanders (9-10) close out their regular season Monday, April 17 at Loyola Marymount University.

Lions Outlast Highlanders 4-3

(April 17, 2006) - UC Riverside won three singles matches but could not overcome a slow start, losing at Loyola Marymount 4-3 Monday afternoon. The Highlanders complete their regular season at 9-11, setting the school’s Division I record for victories.

The day started well for UCR as the #1 doubles team of Joe Cartledge and Mark Contreras defeated LMU’s Mike Wojnarowicz and Linas Cicenas 8-3. But the Lions bounced back to win at number two and three doubles to take the first point.

In singles play, Bobby Tam mounted two incredible comebacks at number four, winning 6-3, 7-5 over Cicenas after trailing 0-3 in the first set and 0-4 in the second. Justin Montgomery won his singles match 6-2, 6-3 over Matt Phillips and Christian Frick took down Michael Chan 6-4, 6-2 as UCR won the final three matches. A UCR victory was thwarted as LMU won the top three singles matches.

“We got off to too slow a start and were rocky, especially at number two and three doubles,” Head Coach York Strother said. “LMU’s top two singles played well and came up big.”

UCR is off until the Big West Championships, which will be held April 28-30 at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden.

Loyola Marymount 4, UC Riverside 3

Doubles
Joe Cartledge/ Mark Contreras (UCR) def. Mike Wojnarowicz/ Linas Cicenas (LMU) 8-3
Matt Phillips/Carlos Malet (LMU) def. Norman Tam/Christian Frick (UCR) 8-4
Nico Terrien/Michael Chan (LMU) def. Justin Montgomery/Bobby Tam (UCR) 8-4

Singles
Terrien (LMU) def. Contreras (UCR) 6-2, 6-2
Wojnarowicz (LMU) def. N. Tam (UCR) 6-3, 6-0
Reyniere Roxas (LMU) def. Cartledge (UCR) 6-3, 6-4
B. Tam (UCR) def. Cicenas (LMU) 6-3, 7-5
Montgomery (UCR) def. Phillips (LMU) 6-2, 6-3
Frick (UCR) def. Chan (LMU) 6-4, 6-2

UCR Faces Cal Poly at Big West Tournament

Download Postseason Notes Here

Download Tournament Bracket Here

(April 24, 2006) - For the second straight season, UC Riverside will face Cal Poly in the opening match of the Big West Conference Tournament. The Highlanders, seeded fourth in 2006, will meet the fifth-seeded Mustangs in the tournament’s play-in game at 9 a.m. on Friday, April 28 at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden.

2006 Big West Conference Tournament
The five-team Big West Conference Tournament will be held Friday-Sunday, April 28-30 at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden in Indian Wells, CA. The play-in game between UCR and Cal Poly is the only match scheduled for Friday. The winner of that match will face #1 seed and regular season champion UC Santa Barbara in one semifinal at 3 p.m. on Saturday. The other semifinal will pit #2 seed Pacific against #3 seed UC Irvine. The championship match is slated for 9 a.m. on Sunday.

UCR vs. Cal Poly
The Highlanders and Mustangs have faced off once already this season, with UCR winning 4-3 at home on February 26. Riverside won the doubles point, then had two of its three singles victories go into three sets. The Highlanders have now won two in a row against the Mustangs, having defeated Cal Poly 4-1 in the play-in game at last season's Big West Tournament.

Contreras Breaks UCR Single-Season, Career Victories Marks
With a singles record of 17-10 this season, junior Mark Contreras (Temple City, CA) set the new UCR single-season record for victories, surpassing the old record of 12, shared by Contreras, Christian Frick, and Justin Montgomery in 2005. That brings Contreras’ career win total to 39, also a school record. Combined that with his 10 doubles wins in 2006, he now has 69 career wins (singles and doubles), also a UCR record. He is one doubles victory shy of tying Brent Davis (2002-04) for second on the career doubles victory list.

Bobby There, Too
Were it not for Contreras’ outstanding season, the new UCR single-season record holder would be freshman Bobby Tam. Tam had a stellar rookie campaign, going 14-11 in singles, including a 7-3 mark at the #4 spot.

Norman Looking to End on a High Note
UCR’s lone senior, Norman Tam, has tied his career-high with nine singles victories in 2006 and has already claimed the second spot on UCR’s all-time career wins list with 31. His 35 career doubles victories put him atop that list while he is second behind Contreras with 67 combined wins.

About Head Coach York Strother
York Strother returned to UC Riverside, his alma mater, to take over the men’s tennis program in the summer of 2001. Since then, he has led the Highlanders to increased victories in each of the last two seasons, including back-to-back school records of seven wins in 2005 and nine in 2006.

Mustangs Upset Highlanders in Tourney, 4-2

(April 28, 2006) - Fifth-seeded Cal Poly defeated No. 4 seed UC Riverside by a score of 4-2 in the first round of the Big West Men's Tennis Championships at Indian Wells Tennis Garden on Friday, setting up a semifinal showdown against top-seeded UC Santa Barbara.

The Mustangs improved to 14-8 on the season while the Highlanders ended their year with a 9-12 record.

Cal Poly clinched the doubles point with wins at the No. 1 and No. 3 positions. John Nguyen and Brett VanLinge knocked off Joe Cartledge and Mark Contreras 8-2 at No. 1. In a tight match at No. 3, Kyle Roybal and Darryn Young eked out a 9-8 win over Justin Montgomery and Bobby Tam.

The Mustangs and Highlanders engaged in a back-and-forth battle in singles. The Highlanders picked up points at No. 2 and No. 5. UCR's Norman Tam won 6-2, 6-2 over Matt Baca at No. 2 and Montgomery sealed a 6-4, 6-2 win against Roybal in the No. 5 spot. But Cal Poly was equal to the task and picked up wins at No. 1, No. 3 and No. 4. Nguyen, playing at No. 1, defeated Contreras 6-4, 6-2 and Brett Van Linge picked up a 6-2, 6-2 win over Cartledge at No. 3. Fred DeWitte was victorious at No. 4, overcoming Bobby Tam 6-4, 6-3.
(Story Courtesy of the Big West Conference)

Cal Poly 4, UC Riverside 2

DOUBLES
1. Nguyen/Van Linge (CP) def. Cartledge/Contreras (UCR) 8-2
2. Baca/ Dewitte (CP) vs. Frick/N. Tam (UCR) DNF
3. Roybal/Darryn Young (CP) def. Montgomery/B. Tam (UCR) 9-8

SINGLES
1. John Nguyen (CP) def. Mark Contreras (UCR) 6-4, 6-2
2. Norman Tam (UCR) def. Matt Baca (CP) 6-2, 6-2
3. Brett Van Linge (CP) def. Joe Cartledge (UCR) 6-2, 6-2
4. Fred Dewitte (CP) def. Bobby Tam (UCR) 6-4, 6-3
5. Justin Montgomery (UCR) def. Kyle Roybal (CP) 6-4, 6-2
6. Christian Frick (UCR) vs. Aaron Elbert (CP) DNF

Highlanders Have Three Men Named to All-Conference Teams

(May 2, 2006) - Three members of UC Riverside men's team were named All-Big West Conference Tuesday.

Junior Mark Contreras (Temple City, CA) was named first team - singles, and senior Norman Tam (Los Angeles, CA) was named second team - singles. Sophomore Joe Cartledge (Oxford, England) earned honorable mention - singles. In doubles play, the team of Cartledge and Contreras were named to the second team.

Contreras set a school single season record for victories by posting a 17-11 overall record, including a 12-10 mark in dual matches and a 5-1 mark in tournament play. He was 4-3 at No. 1 and 8-7 at No. 2.

Tam was 10-18 overall, including 7-15 in dual matches and 3-3 in tournament play. He was 5-10 at No. 1 singles and 2-5 at No. 2 singles.

Cartledge was 12-13 overall, 9-12 in dual matches and 3-1 in tournament play. He was 4-4 at No. 3 singles and 5-8 at No. 4 singles.

Cartledge and Contreras went 4-2 as a team this season, 2-2 in dual match play, all at No. 1.

As a team, UCR was 9-12 on the season, falling in the first round of the Big West Tournament.