The Mustangs won two of three doubles matches and four of six single matches to send Oregon home with a loss.
Cal Poly head coach Justin McGrath knew that the Mustangs would have to battle to win.
“These guys are finally finding their identity,” McGrath said. “We are a fighting team to the bitter end.”
The Mustangs (8-9) were led by the play of Andrew Gerst who won both No. 2 doubles and No. 2 singles.
“As long as I’m playing solid and not making too many mistakes, I’m tough to beat,” Gerst said.
“He’s a warrior,” McGrath said. “He’s our leader.”
No. 2 doubles tandem Gerst and Alexander Sonesson and No. 3 doubles duo Brian McPhee and Nick Berger both won by a score of 8-3.
“We played with a lot of energy and that’s when we’re at our best,” Berger said.
Cal Poly was able to win the top three single matches with Robert Foy cruising to a 6-4, 6-0 victory at No. 5 singles.
“I just wanted to play my game, be aggressive and get to the net,” Foy said.
No. 1 singles player Drew Jacobs (9-8) outlasted Marcos Verdasco. Playing on back-to-back days, Jacobs had just enough to pull out the win 7-5, 7-6 (8).
“Coach just told us to be tougher than the other guy,” Jacobs said. “Then we’d come out on top.”
Gerst (6-9) defeated Alexander Cornelissen 6-4, 6-2. “He was serving pretty well and solid off the baseline,” Gerst said. “But I knew if I could hang in there and weather the storm, I could get him in the end.”
Epitomizing the team’s identity, Alexander Sonesson (4-9) came from behind to defeat Oregon’s Ayrton Wibowo 3-6, 7-5, 6-2. Already down a set, Sonneson charged back to take the set 7-5.
Darryn Young (2-6) and Brian McPhee (2-3) both fought for three sets before falling in their matches.
Phenom freshman Andre Dome did not play due to a sprained ankle suffered during the match against UCSB on Wednesday. He hoped to be back in about a week and is scheduled to undergo X-rays today.
The team was encouraged by the emotional win and looked forward to building off the momentum with back-to-back triumphs.
“We’re feeling good and we’re starting to click at the right time,” Gerst said.