Feb. 13, 1998

LOS ANGELES -- In a battle of undefeated teams, the No. 2 ranked UCLA men's tennis team suffered an upset, 3-4, loss across town at rival USC, ranked 10th, today. UCLA now stands 6-1 overall and 2-1 in Pac-10 Conference action, while USC is 7-0 overall and 3-0 in league play.

USC claimed the doubles point, but UCLA rallied back by claiming the three of the first four singles matches to finish and held a 3-2 advantage with two matches in the third set. The Bruins posted straight set victories on court Nos. 2, 3 and 5. In the No. 2 slot, Vince Allegre defeated Patrick Gottesleben 6-3, 7-5. On court No. 3 Matt Breen won 6-3, 6-2 over Kyle Spencer. In the No. 5 slot, Brandon Kramer won 6-1, 6-0 over Christoph Poehler. The only Bruin to fall was No. 6 ranked Jean-Noel Grinda who suffered his first dual match loss of the season, 6-2, 6-2 to No. 8 ranked George Bastl.

The score was tied at three all when USC's Fernando Samayoa got an early service break and rallied for a 6-3, 1-6, 6-2 win over UCLA's Chris Sands in the No. 6 position. The intensity of the rivalry became focused on the final match being played on court No. 4. UCLA's Alex Decret led 3-2 and was up a break in the third set over USC's Roman Kukal. However, Kukal broke back during a long game to even the match at 3-3 and road the momentum the rest of the way for a 4-6, 7-5, 6-3 USC victory and the decisive team point.

In their nest action, both teams travel to the USTA/ITA National Indoor Team Championships in Louisville, Ky., Feb. 19-22.

Here are today's position-by-position results:

Doubles -- (USC wins point)
No. 1   George Bastl / Kyle Spencer (USC) def. Vince Allegre / Matt Breen (UCLA)    8-6
No. 2   Patrick Gottesleben / Akram Zaman (USC) def. Jean-Noel Grinda / Chris Sands (UCLA)  8-3
No. 3   Roman Kukal / Fernando Samayoa (USC) def. Alex Decret / Brandon Kramer (UCLA)   8-6

Singles
No. 1   George Bastl (USC) def. Jean-Noel Grinda (UCLA) 6-2, 6-2
No. 2   Vince Allegre (UCLA) def. Patrick Gottesleben (USC) 6-3, 7-5
No. 3   Matt Breen (UCLA) def. Kyle Spencer (USC)   6-3, 6-2
No. 4   Roman Kukal (USC) def. Alex Decret (UCLA)   4-6, 7-5, 6-3
No. 5   Brandon Kramer (UCLA) def. Christoph Poehler (USC)  6-1, 6-0
No. 6   Fernando Samayoa (USC) def. Chris Sands (UCLA)  6-3, 1-6, 6-2

Final Team Score: USC 4, UCLA 3