AZUSA, Calif.--It doesn't get any closer than this, or any more tension filled.

In a match that totaled over four hours, defending Pacific West Conference champion Azusa Pacific defeated Hawai`i Hilo, 4-3. The final match of the day, that turned into night before it was finished, was decided in a third-set tiebreaker with both teams crowded around cheering their teammate. 

No. 25 nationally ranked APU improved to 17-1 on the season, while the No. 21 Vulcans fell to 7-3.

The Cougars picked up the doubles point, winning all three matches. But the Vulcans came back with quick victories at No. 3 singles (Martin Soukal) and No. 2 (Alessandro Giuliato). APU evened the team score at 2-2 with a win on court six, and then took the lead at 3-2 after winning a terrific match on court one. In a highly entertaining bout, No. 13 ranked Jakob Schnaitter edged No. 21 Vaclav Slezak, 7-6 (7-3), 6-3.

That gave the hosts a 3-2 lead. The final two matches of the night started about halfway through the other singles matches because of court space.

Luca Checchia struck first for UHH, winning on court five, 6-4, 6-2 to tie things up at 3-3, leaving everyone to stream to court three--where Chun En Wu and APU's Leyton Bohren were hooked up in a war.

Wu won the first set 6-4, but Bohren was locked into the second set (6-1). The third was played out on serve until Bohren broke at 3-3, but Wu broke right back to tie it at 4-4. Both players won their serve all the way to the tiebreaker, creating tension you could cut with a knife. 

In the tiebreaker, the freshman son of head coach Mark Bohren, won the first three points and never trailed after that. Wu was able to come back to 3-2, but would get no closer. It was a match of great shooting, which Bohren won (7-3), and he was immediately smothered by his teammates.

"It was a great match, as good as you will see," said head coach Kallen Mizuguchi. "We will look forward to seeing them again at the conference tournament."

UH Hilo will get Thursday off before taking on Point Loma on Friday and UC San Diego on Saturday.

#25 Azusa Pacific 4, #21 Hawai`i Hilo 3
Singles competition
1. #13 Jakob Schnaitter (APU) def. #21 Vaclav Slezak (UHH), 7-6 (7-3), 6-3.
2. #32 Alessandro Giuliato (UHH) def. Ryan Nuno (APU), 6-3, 6-1.
3. #50 Martin Soukal (UHH) def. Ronald Kang (AP), 6-4, 6-4.
4. Leyton Bohren (APU) def. Chun En Wu (UHH), 4-6, 6-1, 7-6 (7-3).
5. Luca Checchia (UHH) def. Jesse Haas (APU), 6-4, 6-2.
6. Marnix Plum (APU) def. Arturo Dell`Eva (UHH), 6-3, 6-3. 
Singles order of finish: 3-2-6-1-5-3.

Doubles competition
1. Schnaitter/Haas (APU) def. #13 Slezak/Giuliato (UHH), 7-5. 
2. Nuno/Bohren (APU) def. Soukal/En Wu (UHH), 7-6 (7-5). 
3. Kang/Ethan Smith (APU) def. Checchia,/Alan Cincunegui (UHH), 6-3.     
Doubles order of finish: 3-2-1.

Records: Hawai'i Hilo 7-3, Azusa Pacific 17-1.