Battered by 14 losses in 18 matches, the Aztec men met USD in April (2011) as overwhelming underdogs.
The Toreros were ranked 29th in the nation. The Aztecs had dropped off the list of 75 top teams.
When the city rivals met informally in January, USD players won every match.
Days before their April encounter, Aztec Tim Schultz, due to play third singles, returned to Berlin to be with his dying mother.
“Playing for Tim” and despite all expectations, SDSU defeated USD, 4-3.
Aztecs Giovanni Vaglietti and Hunter Nicholas beat USD’s 15th ranked doubles team, 8-5.
Aztecs Javier Pulgar and Juan Guillermo Flores won their match. The Aztecs led, 1-0.
The Toreros won three singles points but Aztecs Pulgar and Jose Sierra Short won three-set singles victories to deadlock the match at 3-3.
Finally, Aztec Andre Feliz rallied to win, 0-6, 7-6 (6), 6-2, after trailing, 0-6, 0-3, 0-40.
“It was an incredible match. I sort of came back from the dead,” Feliz said, “but that’s what happens if you never give up.”
It was a victory that saved the Aztec soul. — JM
