LAS VEGAS – The Wildcats put together a good effort on day one at the Larry Easley Memorial Classic in Las Vegas, Nev. on Friday, going a combined 3-3 on the afternoon, while UA's doubles tandem of Will Adkisson and Shoki Kasahara advanced to the quarterfinals on Saturday.
“Today I saw some positives but also some things we needed to address heading into tomorrow,” said head coach Tad Berkowitz. “We will make the adjustments needed and be ready to go.”
Will Adkisson and Shoki Kasahara got things going in a positive way for the Cats, as they won a hard-fought opening round doubles match against Grand Canyon University's Felix Schueller and Alex Roggenkamp, 8-7 (2). Adkisson and Kasahara will compete in the quarterfinals tomorrow starting at 9 am.
Adkisson kept his positive momentum going into singles play, as he won his first match in the round of 16 against Mesa Community College's Max Wightman, 6-3, 6-2. Unfortunately, Adkisson fell short in the quarterfinals, dropping a 7-5, 6-2 decision to UNLV's Richard Solberg.
Trevor James battled in his opening round singles match, but eventually fell 0-6, 6-4, 6-2 to UNLV's Ruben Alberts. However, he responded in the consolation round, taking down Northern Arizona's Tim Handel in three sets 6-2, 6-7(5), 10-8. James finished 1-1 on the day.
Kasahara dropped his opening round match to Grand Canyon's Mitch Maroscher 6-2, 6-1.
The Cats will be back on the courts tomorrow, starting with doubles play at 9 am and singles play at 10 am.
Day One Results
SINGLES
Round of 16
Will Adkisson (UofA) def. Max Wightman (MCC) 6-3, 6-2.
Mitch Maroscher (GCU) def. Shoki Kasahara (UofA) 6-2, 6-1
Ruben Alberts (UNLV) def. Trevor James (UofA) 0-6, 6-4, 6-2
Quarterfinals
Richard Solberg (UNLV) def. Will Adkisson (UofA) 7-5, 6-2.
Consolation Quarterfinals
Trevor James (UofA) def. Tim Handel (NAU) 6-2, 6-7 (5), 10-8
DOUBLES
Round of 16
Will Adkisson and Shoki Kasahara (UofA) def. Felix Schueller and Alex Roggenkamp (GCU) 8-7 (2).
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