ORANGE, Calif – No. 44 Occidental Men's Tennis Team traveled to Chapman on Friday afternoon for a showdown with conference rival and 37^th ranked Chapman University.  Needing a win to keep their conference playoff hopes alive, the Tigers mounted an epic comeback, rallying from a 3-0 deficit to win all four of the remaining matches and claim a 4-3 victory. First-year Konan Sahara provided the clinching win in dramatic fashion by fighting off nine match points in the third set to win his match at number five singles 2-6,6-2,7-6(1).
 
"Sahara was clutch, he is a gamer," said Head Coach Stephen Perkins after the match.
 
To start off the match, the Tigers came out with tremendous energy in doubles with Mason Hart and Ace Andres winning a 6-3 decision at number two doubles. After Dhruv Verma and Jack Yurich dropped a close 6-3 decision at number three doubles, the doubles point came down to the number one spot. Ultimately, the Chapman team rallied from down three match points to win 7-5 and take a 1-0 lead into the singles segment of the match.
 
Chapman appeared to be on their way to a victory after claiming the first sets on courts 1,2,3, and 5. After losing in straight sets on courts 1 and 3, the Tigers found themselves in a 3-0 deficit and in need of some magic. This is when the Tigers showed their tremendous grit and fight. Ace Andres and Konan Sahara both battled back to win their second sets and force deciding third sets. After Ben Burrows secured a 6-2,7-5 win at number six singles and Josiah Mones pulled out a 6-4,7-5 win at number four singles, the Tigers trailed 3-2 and needed both Andres and Sahara to win. Andres showed his toughness and stamina by dominating the third set at number two singles and winning his match 4-6,7-6(4),6-0.
 
This set the stage for Sahara's stunning win at the number five spot. Trailing 1-4 in the third set, Sahara battled back to 3-5 but again found himself in a hole down 15-40 and three match points. Showing remarkable calm under pressure, Sahara broke serve to bring his match to 4-5 only to find himself in another 15-40 deficit. Once again, Sahara did not blink as he leveled the match at 5-5. His Chapman opponent did not go away and again took the lead as Sahara found himself down 5-6 (15-40) just a few minutes later. However, Sahara ripped massive forehand winners on two of the next three points and dominated the ensuing tiebreaker to win his match and clinch the match for the Tigers.
 
"It was the best college tennis match I've ever seen," said Perkins, "I'm really proud of the energy and fight our team showed today."
 
The Tigers return to action this Thursday at 4pm at home against the Redlands Bulldogs. This will be the Tigers last regular season match and they are in need of a win in order to qualify for the SCIAC Conference Playoffs.