The nationally-ranked No. 19 Cameron men’s tennis team was unable to stop No. 7 Abilene Christian in the NCAA Regional Tournament on Monday, which ended CU’s spring season. The Wildcats topped the Aggies 5-2 in a tough clash on ACU’s home courts.
 
The Black and Gold got off to a rough start after giving up two of the three doubles matches.
 
Thomas Peixoto and Patrick Eichler secured the lone doubles victory at the No. 2 spot, taking out ACU’s Bryan Joiner and Eldad Campbell 8-4.
 
Santiago Romero and Nicolas Clerc were surpassed 8-4 at No.1, while Jeff Sasser and Duje Janjic went down to Nick Plum and Alfredo Desiati in a tight 9-7 decision at No. 3.
 
Romero also fell in singles play. The No. 16 player in the nation was outdone 7-6, 6-4 by No. 15 Hans Hach in a close battle at the top spot.
 
Sophomore Manuel Barroetavena was ousted as well. He came up short against Desiati and was beaten 6-4, 4-6, 6-1 at the No. 3 slot.
 
Peixoto put the Aggies back on the board by producing a huge 7-6(5), 7-6(6) win over Campbell at the No. 2 position, but it was not enough. Clerc was defeated 6-3, 6-3 at No. 4, which gave the Wildcats the victory.
 
Janjic and Eichler were playing great tennis at the No. 5 and No. 6 positions, but their matches were left unfinished.
 
ACU will now advance to the NCAA National Tournament, which is set to be held in Altamonte Springs, Fla.
 
Overall, it has been an outstanding season for the CU men, who finished with a 20-9 record and made their 17th consecutive appearance in the NCAA Regional Tournament under men’s tennis coach James Helvey.
 
The nationally-ranked No. 18 Aggie women will have their shot in the regional tournament tomorrow when they take on Midwestern State. The match is scheduled for 10 a.m. and will be held at the Streich-Henry Tennis Complex.