AZUSA, Calif.--UH Hilo picked up victories at No. 1 doubles and in two singles spots, but it wasn't enough to overtake No. 11 nationally ranked Azusa Pacific on Thursday afternoon at the M and B Tennis Complex, 6-3.

The Vulcans fell back to 8-10 on the season while the Cougars, ranked No. 2 in the west region behind defending national champion Hawai`i Pacific, improved to 12-3.

Vaclav Slezak and Alex Fillat Perez claimed victory at No. 1 doubles, defeating Oliver Frank and Antonio Pejic, 8-6. But neither were as fortunate on the singles courts, where Slezak lost for just the fourth time this year (13-4) to Frank, the nation's No. 1 ranked player, 6-2, 6-3. Fillat Perez also had a stiff challenge, facing the No. 4 ranked player in the region Christian Schmid, losing 6-2, 6-4. Schmid is also listed 17th nationally.

The No. 2 doubles team of Fillat Perez and Bruno Figlia also suffered a rare defeat, dropping an 8-4 decision to Schmid and Pascal Engel, 8-4. The UHH duo is now 12-4 on the season in doubles.

The Vulcans did get singles victories at No. 3, with Gregory Zukeran rallying to defeat Engel, 3-6, 7-6, 10-4, and Figlia improved to 11-5 on the season in singles with a win on court five over Shepherd Newcomb, 6-1, 6-3.

Zukeran and Daniel Tada lost a tight pro set doubles match on court three to Newcomb and Marnix Pluim, 8-6.

The Vulcans will return to action tomorrow, taking on Concordia. Start time is 2 p.m. Pacific.

AZUSA PACIFIC 6, UH HILO 3
Singles
1. Oliver Frank (AP) def. Vaclav Slezak (UHH), 6-2, 6-3.
2. Christian Schmid (AP) def. Alex Fillat Perez (UHH), 6-2, 6-4.
3. Gregory Zukeran (UHH) def. Pascal Engel (AP), 3-6, 7-6, 10-4.
4. Marnix Pluim (AP) def. Stefan Coney (UHH), 6-0, 6-1.
5. Bruno Figlia (UHH) def. Shepherd Newcomb (AP), 6-1, 6-3.
6. Antonio Pejic (AP) def. Ryuta Ogawa (UHH), 6-0, 6-4.
Doubles
1. Slezak/Coney (UHH) def. Frank/Pejic (AP), 8-6.
2. Engle/Schmid (AP) def. Figlia/Fillat Perez (UHH), 8-4.
3. Newcomb/Pluim (AP) def. Zukeran/Daniel Tada (UHH), 8-6.