Pepperdine Men’s Tennis Secures Share of WCC Title with Win Over Loyola Marymount

On a pivotal day in West Coast Conference men’s tennis, the No. 28-ranked Pepperdine Waves clinched a share of the 2024 WCC regular-season title by defeating Loyola Marymount 4-3 in a tightly contested match. The victory improved Pepperdine’s conference record to 7-1 and overall mark to 16-8, while Loyola Marymount fell to 5-3 in WCC play and 16-5 overall.

The doubles point proved decisive, as Pepperdine swept all three matches to seize an early 1-0 lead. At No. 1 doubles, the duo of Alexander Karlsson and Lucas Gomez defeated LMU’s Diego Sanchez and Mateo Riquelme 6-3. Meanwhile, Justin Ho and Diego Navarro won at No. 2 doubles 6-4, and Ethan Lee and Mateo Silva clinched the point with a 7-5 victory at No. 3 doubles.

In singles, Pepperdine dropped three of the first four matches but rallied behind strong performances from Karlsson and Gomez. Karlsson, playing at No. 1 singles, defeated Sanchez 6-4, 6-2 to even the team score at 2-2. Gomez then secured the clinching point at No. 2 singles, overcoming Riquelme in a three-set battle, 4-6, 6-3, 6-4.

The win marked Pepperdine’s first outright or shared WCC title since 2019 and positioned the Waves as a top seed heading into the WCC Tournament. Head coach David Rodriguez praised his team’s resilience, stating, “To win the doubles point and then fight back in singles against a talented LMU squad shows the character of this group. Sharing the title is a testament to their hard operate all season.”

Loyola Marymount, despite the loss, remained in contention for the top seed in the conference tournament, finishing the regular season tied for second with Gonzaga at 5-3 in WCC play.

Key Takeaways

• Pepperdine improved to 16-8 overall and 7-1 in WCC play with the win.

• The Waves swept the doubles point, a critical factor in securing the victory.
• Alexander Karlsson and Lucas Gomez each won decisive singles matches to clinch the title share.
• Pepperdine shares the 2024 WCC regular-season title, its first conference crown since 2019.
• The victory positions Pepperdine as a top seed for the upcoming WCC Tournament.

Frequently Asked Questions

What was Pepperdine’s record before the match against Loyola Marymount?

Pepperdine entered the match with a 15-8 overall record and a 6-1 mark in WCC play.

How did Pepperdine secure the doubles point?

Pepperdine won all three doubles matches, with victories at No. 1 (6-3), No. 2 (6-4), and No. 3 (7-5).

Who won the clinching singles match for Pepperdine?

Lucas Gomez won the clinching point at No. 2 singles, defeating Mateo Riquelme 4-6, 6-3, 6-4.

What does sharing the WCC title mean for Pepperdine’s postseason outlook?

Sharing the regular-season title earns Pepperdine a top seed in the WCC Tournament, granting them a bye into the quarterfinals and home-court advantage through the early rounds.

When and where is the WCC Tournament being held?

The 2024 WCC Men’s Tennis Championship is scheduled for April 19–21 at the Loyola Marymount Tennis Center in Los Angeles, California.