Robert Edwards/KLC fotos
Bernardo Munk Mesa won a clutch three-setter to wrap up Cal's win in Charlottesville.
MTEN3/21/2025 5:48 PM | By: Cal Athletics
No. 14 Cal Upends No. 6 Virginia 4-3
CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – – In one of its best performances of the season, the 14th-ranked California men's tennis team defeated sixth-ranked Virginia 4-3 on Friday at the Virginia Tennis Facility at the Boar's Head Resort. Freshman
Bernardo Munk Mesa won a three-setter at court-six singles to clinch the victory.
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After posting its fifth consecutive win, Cal improved its record to 12-2, including 5-2 in the ACC. Virginia is 11-6 (3-4).
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The Golden Bears and Cavaliers split the first two doubles matches, with the Cal pair of
Mikey Wright and
Fryderyk Lechno-Wasiutynski beating Mans Dahlberg and Ty Switzer 6-3 on court three. The senior duo of
Alex Chang and
Carl Emil Overbeck bested 28th-ranked James Hopper and Keegan Rice 7-5 in a tight match on court one to clinch the doubles point.
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The teams alternated wins and losses in singles. After the Cavs tied the match 1-1, Cal's
Timofey Stepanov topped Rice 6-3, 6-3 to give the lead back to the Bears at 2-1. Later tied 2-2,
Derrick Chen posted a 7-5, 1-6, 6-2 result over Virginia's Roy Horovitz, and Cal led 3-2.
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With the match knotted at 3-3, Munk Mesa eventually prevailed 6-4, 3-6, 7-6(5) over Dahlberg, whose forehand return into the net at match point set off a Bears' celebration with their young teammate.
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"It's a fun win for sure on the road against the Hoos, a six-time NCAA champion," said
Kris Kwinta, Cal's Peter Wright Director of Men's Tennis. "We were down
Alex Chang in singles and were looking for the younger ones to step up, and they did. We played our best in the big moments. Every time a different person clinches and every single time we can rely on these guys to step up in big moments. Berni has been clutch – he had big wins against UCLA and Notre Dame, and obviously he won the clinching match today and against UC Davis. He's a baller. I was weirdly calm when it came down to him. It was a fun team victory. We're going to enjoy it for a couple of hours and get back to work."
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Cal next plays Sunday at noon PT at No. 63 Virginia Tech.
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