The UCSB men’s tennis team finds itself in the midst of a four-match skid after falling to Oregon, #6 Washington and Portland this past weekend in Eugene.

The Gauchos began their latest three-game road trip against the Ducks on Friday, losing 1-6. Santa Barbara was then swept by the Huskies on Saturday, 0-7. Santa Barbara finished the weekend against the University of Portland on Sunday, losing 2-5.

Though the team is currently experiencing a lack of success in terms of team victories, several Gauchos are playing well individually. The doubles duo of junior co-captain Marcin Kosakowski and sophomore J.J. Stewart have been on a hot streak as of late. Kosakowski and Stewart won all three of their doubles matches this past weekend and four of their last five.

“We’re getting a good rhythm,” Stewart said. “We’ve beat some good doubles teams. Marcin has a big serve. We’re playing smarter, picking our spots and playing more controlled.”

Kosakowski and Stewart defeated Oregon senior David Becker and freshman Martin Pawlowski 8-4 Friday. On Saturday, Kosakowski and Stewart won their match 8-1 against Washington seniors Jeremy Berman and Andy Posavac, one of the top doubles teams in the nation. Kosakowski and Stewart then beat Portland juniors Lars Anderson and Quang Nguyen 8-6 on Sunday.

“[Stewart and I] have become a good team,” Kosakowski said. “We’re helping each other out. [Coach Marty Davis] has helped us play better together.”

Kosakowski also played well in singles action this past weekend. On Friday, Kosakowski beat Oregon’s Pawlowski 6-2 in the first set, lost the second set 6-4, before winning the third set 6-4. Kosakowski won again on Sunday, defeating Portland’s Anderson in two sets, 6-4 and 7-6.

“I’m playing more aggressively,” Kosakowski said. “My serves are better, and I’m attacking more.”

UCSB junior co-captain Marcio Pepe won a tough game Sunday against Portland junior Nick Tostenrude. Pepe lost a tight first set 5-7, but fought back to win the second set 6-3 and the third set 6-4.

“I think I wore [Tostenrude] down,” Pepe said. “We played really long points. We were both playing on the baseline and doing a lot of running. I was in better shape.”

UCSB’s recent four-game losing streak and current 2-9 record are an indicator of how difficult Santa Barbara’s schedule has been this year. The Gauchos have had only three home games this season and will play on the road four more times before their next home game on March 28 against the University of Hawai’i. However, the Gauchos remain positive about their season.

“The team is upbeat,” Kosakowski said. “We’re disappointed about this weekend, but everybody knows we can play. All of us know we can play.”

UCSB travels to La Jolla next weekend for the Pacific Coast Double Tournament. Santa Barbara will be on the road again the following weekend, playing matches at the University of the Pacific and Fresno State.

“We’re upset about losing,” Pepe said. “We want to turn this [season] around. We can still go out and beat good teams. We have the talent. We just need to turn it around.”