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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Thursday, April 6, 2006

No. 2 Pepperdine sweeps No. 68 UH

Advertiser Staff

Hawai'i's six-match winning streak screeched to a halt yesterday as second-ranked Pepperdine swept the Rainbows, 6-0, in Malibu, Calif. The 'Bows, ranked 68th, dropped to 9-5.

The teams played singles first because of the threat of bad weather. The Waves won five of the six matches in straight sets. Freshman Sascha Heinemann, who plays No. 1 for UH, saw his 10-match winning streak snapped by sixth-ranked Scott Doerner, 6-2, 6-0.

Senior Bryon Weinberg, who plays No. 2 for UH, had three match points in the third set against 25th-ranked Pedro Pico, who ended up winning, 6-1, 4-6, 7-6 (7-2). Ryan Sceats, a UH senior who plays No. 3, lost for only the second time this season.

While the team is enjoying its first year as a ranked program, the new UH-Manoa Tennis Complex is also finding success. The American Sports Builders Association gave the 12-court complex one of its Outstanding Tennis Facility Awards, in "recognition of excellence in design and construction."

The Central O'ahu Regional Park Tennis Complex earned the same award in 2003.

The UH courts underwent a massive renovation, re-opening in November of 2004. UH hosted last year's WAC Championships. Future plans include a raised grandstand with premium seating for four courts and a structure for offices and a locker room.

Men's coach John Nelson is looking for a sponsor to help with the next phase. He also hopes to start a tennis club that would allow the public to use the courts. Currently just UH students, staff and faculty are allowed to play.

Hawai'i's match at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo was canceled Tuesday because of bad weather. The 'Bows close their regular season at home against Hawai'i Pacific (Monday) and Azusa Pacific (Tuesday). WAC Championships are April 21 to 23 at Fresno.

The Rainbow Wahine (2-16-1) have won two of their last three and host HPU Saturday at 10 a.m.