Oct. 29, 2012

Dear Friends of Cal Tennis,

This special edition of the Men's Tennis Newsletter highlights a historic weekend for the Bears at the USTA/ITA Northwest Regionals, a Bear playing in the Davis Cup, and a look ahead to our upcoming events.

ITA Northwest Regionals Recap
It was a historic weekend for the Bears as they captured all three titles (singles, doubles, team) at the ITA Northwest Regionals for the first time since 1969. Brothers Riki (senior) and Ben (junior) McLachlan captured the Doubles Title with an 8-6 victory over Saint Mary's Joakim Norstrom and Jesse Kiuru. Ben McLachlan (ITA #16) followed the doubles win by capturing the Singles Title with a 6-2, 6-1 victory over Santa Clara's Jon Lamble (ITA #40). To cap off a great tournament the Bears were also awarded the Team Title for having the most victories amongst any team at the tournament.

Ben McLachlan's win was Cal's first singles at the ITA Regionals since former Bear Conor Niland captured the title in 2003. Other Bears to have won the singles title include: Tom Phanco (92), Kurt Streeter (87), Randy Nixon (82), Larry Stefanki (79), Bob Aloo (69), Chuck Darley (66, 67, and 68), Doug Sykes (65), Jim McManus (63), Bill Hoogs (61 and 62), Clif Mayne (53), and Fred Hagist (52).

The win in doubles was Ben McLachlan's second win and the 4th USTA/ITA Regional Doubles title for the Bears in the last 5 years. Former Cal doubles titlists include: Ben McLachlan/Carlos Cueto (2011), Nick Andrews/Chris Konigsfeldt (2010), Geoff Chizever/Pedro Zerbini (2008), Pierre Mouillon/Daniel Sebescen (2006), Nathan Jackmon/Bobby Mahal (96), Kurt Streeter/Carl Chang (89), Doug Eisenman/Ted Scherman (88), Steve DeVries/Ted Scherman (87), Peter Wright/Eduardo Esteban (84), Marty Davis/Chris Dunk (80), Chuck Darley/Corky Meinhardt (68), Gene Cantin/Chuck Darley (66), Gene Cantin/Doug Sykes (65), Jim McManus/Doug Sykes (63), Barry Baskin/Paul Welles (62), Emory Summers/Donald Pimly (55), and Fred Hagist/Herschel Hyde (53).

The Bears have also taken home the Team Trophy four out of the last five years.

Overall, it was a great tournament for the Bears. To capture all three titles is a great accomplishment for this team and speaks wonders to the hard work they have put in this fall; and capturing the team title really speaks to the depth we have on this team. These victories will certainly serve as motivation for the team throughout the year, especially as we move into the spring and begin match play. Lastly, congratulations to Riki and Ben for their outstanding play throughout the tournament, as a reward they will represent Cal in New York at the USTA/ITA National Indoor Intercollegiate Championships, November 8-11 in Flushing Meadows at the Billie Jean King Tennis Center.

Chris Konigsfeldt Feature
While most of the Cal Men's Tennis team was in Moraga playing in the ITA Northwest Regionals this weekend, Chris Konigsfeldt was 5,425 miles away, in Helsinki, Finland, playing in the Davis Cup for his homeland Denmark. Konigsfeldt was called upon by Danish team captain Kenneth Carlsen for the opportunity to represent Denmark in the best international team competition that tennis has to offer. The match had already been decided, as Denmark held a 3-1 lead, but Chris was given the chance to play the 5th match and gain some valuable experience. Chris won his first ever Davis Cup match 6-3, 7-6 (7) beating Herkko Pollanen, one of the best junior players in Finland.

This was a great opportunity for Chris to experience tennis at the next level first hand, and something he will remember for the rest of his life. Hopefully he can continue to improve his game and become a regular on the Danish Davis Cup Team. Note: The Davis Cup team is coached by former Cal Assistant Coach, Morten Christensen.

Up Next
After a long weekend of matches at the ITA Northwest Regionals, the Bears were off last weekend but will return to action this weekend with a pair of tournaments.

Most of the team will compete in the Pacific Tiger Fall Invitational at UOP starting on Friday, November 2, and will continue through Sunday, November 4.

In an event modeled after the Audi Napa Valley Tennis Classic, Gregory Bayane, Mads Engsted, and Chris Konigsfeldt, will travel to Orlando, Florida to play in the USTA Clay Court Invitational at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Tennis Complex. The event, being hosted by Florida State from November 2-4, will also feature USC, Kentucky, Duke, Florida, Tulsa, Columbia, Georgia Tech, UCF, and Penn State.

This has been a great fall season for the Bears and we look to finish strong with these upcoming tournaments. Thank you for all your support this past weekend and in the future. Go Bears!!