ORANGE, Calif. – The Caltech men's tennis team defended its No. 5 regional and No. 31 national rankings on the road against SCIAC rival Chapman University, rebounding after a doubles sweep to claim a 5-2 team victory.

"This match was a true battle," said Head Coach Adam Clark. "I am so proud of this team pulling out a huge road win against a very talented and tough Chapman team."

Powered by the ITA West Region's fifth-ranked doubles pair playing in the top position, Chapman won all three doubles sets to claim the doubles point, but the Beavers found new energy in the singles session and carried the momentum to their 10th dual match win of the season.

Rookie Kenneth Chan (Hinsdale, Ill. / Pine Crest) struck first in singles play, outlasting his opponent with a 6-0, 6-4 result in the third position. Junior Andrew Zabelo (Florham Park, N.J. / Newark Academy) followed on the adjacent Court 2 with a 6-2, 6-4 win to pull Caltech ahead 2-1 on the day.

With all remaining singles opponents splitting their opening two sets, the host Panthers clawed back into contention with a match point in #6 Singles, but sophomore Tejas Ram picked up Caltech's third point in #4 Singles, surging after a first-set loss to victory by scores of 4-6, 6-0 and 6-2.

Sophomore Eric He (Allen, Texas / Allen) sealed the Panthers' fate in #5 Singles, winning his lengthy match 6-2, 5-7, 6-3, improving Caltech's SCIAC record to 3-1 this season.

Finally, sophomore Constantin Cedillo-Vayson de Pradenne (Paris / Lycée Jean de La Fontaine) wrapped up his #1 Singles marathon against regional No.20 Aram Izmirian, rallying after a tiebreak loss to win by a 6-7 (5), 6-2, 6-4 line.

Caltech has won five of its last six matches against Chapman, dating back to the 2018 season.

"We dug deep into the reserves today and found a way to win," Coach Clark said. "Another little piece of revenge from a tough loss last year."

Clark and the Beavers will make their shortest road trip of the season on Saturday to face SCIAC foe Occidental College, with doubles play commencing at 10 a.m.