IRVINE, Calif. - Monday marked a battle between a pair of Top 20 tennis teams from the PacWest Conference that have already impressed on the court this season.

The key PacWest Conference matchup featured No. 14 Concordia hosting No. 20 Hawai'i Hilo.

The Vulcans were able to win the doubles point despite a strong showing from No. 1 doubles partners Yassine Smiej and Mike Jansen from CUI.  Smiej and Jansen topped Martin Soukal and Alessio DeMichelis, however the Vulcans won at the No. 2 and No. 3 positions to go up 1-0 early.

Smiej continued his fine play by securing a 6-2, 7-6 victory in No. 1 doubles.  Patrick Wong also emerged victorious at No. 2 singles by notching a comeback win in three sets. After losing the opening set, he bounced back in commanding fashion to give CUI a second point in the match, 3-6, 6-2, 6-0.

Mike Jansen and Jan Simon each one a set but ultimately their opponents won their pairing.  Coupled with UHH's win at No. 6 singles, the Vulcans earned the 4-2 win.

CUI's Benjamin Buck was on his way to winning in the No. 5 position, and led 7-5, 4-0, but with UHH clinching its fourth point, his match unfortunately was left unfinished.

The CUI men's tennis team is slated to return to action on Saturday, March 13 vs. No. 8 Azusa Pacific.  The CUI women's tennis team is ranked No. 25 in the ITA Rankings and hosts Fresno Pacific this Wednesday, March 10 at 1 p.m.

CLICK HERE for the current CUI men's tennis schedule

CLICK HERE for the current CUI women's tennis schedule

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