March 14, 2007
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THIS WEEK IN LOBO MEN’S TENNIS: New Mexico concludes its home season this weekend, hosting Radford on Thursday at 1 p.m., 18th-ranked Minnesota on Friday at 1:30 p.m. and Northern Arizona on Sunday at 11 a.m. Weather permitting, all three matches will be on the outdoor courts at the UNM Tennis Complex. Admission is free!
IN THE RANKINGS: This week’s FILA/ITA National Poll ranks New Mexico No. 61, falling three spots from last week. With an 8-3 overall record, the Lobos have the best record in the Mountain West Conference but are still ranked a notch behind BYU, which came in at No. 60. Two other MWC members earned seedings on the list as Utah placed 63rd and TCU at No. 71.
With a tough conference schedule right around the corner, the Lobos are preparing themselves with the best teams in college tennis. Minnesota, ranked No. 18, comes to Albuquerque for a match this Friday. Next weekend, New Mexico closes out the non-conference season, visiting 12th-ranked Texas and 46th-ranked Texas A&M.
LOOKING AT THE LOBOS: New Mexico, 8-3 overall, is perfect at home, going 5-0 this season. The Lobos had a five-game win streak until a disappointing 4-3 loss at then-27th-ranked Boise State on Saturday.
Head coach Alan Dils has had options this season for his singles line-up, using eight different players to fill the six spots, including three different players at No. 1. Sophomore Johnny Parkes, 9-4 overall in dual matches, has had the most success at No. 1, going 2-2. Junior Max Jones has also played the position, going 1-4 while sophomore Graeme Kassautzki went 0-1 in his lone turn at the top spot.
In doubles action, Dils has also used many different pairings with much success. Jones and junior Kamil Pajkowski have played a majority of the time at No. 1, going 4-2. Brothers Chris and Johnny Parkes have been a dominant force at No. 2, going 5-1.
HIGHLIGHTING THE HIGHLANDERS: Radford is 7-3 overall, winning four straight. In that streak, the Highlanders handed Air Force, Niagara and New Mexico State 6-1 losses. They play 18th-ranked Minnesota on March 14th before facing the Lobos on the 15th.
Martin Sayer, ranked No. 75 in singles nationally, leads Radford with a 19-9 overall record, going 7-1 at No. 1. James Lloyd, 6-3 overall in dual matches, has seen most of his action at No. 2 but did step up to No. 1 once, netting a win.
Sayer and Lloyd usually pair up at No. 1, going 3-3 in dual doubles. Sayer has also teamed with Zach Watson, going 3-0 at No. 1. The Highlanders’ most successful tandem has been Mehdi Benhammou and Patrick Metham, going 7-1 overall and 6-1 at No. 2.
SCOUTING THE GOPHERS: Minnesota, ranked 18th in the nation, is 8-2 overall and riding a three-game win streak after knocking off then-15th-ranked Washington, 5-2. The Gophers are stopping in Las Cruces before heading to Albuquerque, taking on New Mexico State and Radford.
Nine different Gophers have seen action in singles, including Andres Osorio and 61st-ranked Raoul Schwark. Osorio has seen the most time in the top spot, going 3-4, while Schwark has posted a 1-2 record at No. 1. Schwark, 5-4 in dual matches, is 4-1 at No. 2.
In doubles, Schwark usually pairs with Michael Kantar at No. 2, going 4-3, but they have also seen time at No. 1, going 1-1. Sion Wilkins and D.J. Geatz have the other wins at No. 1 doubles, going 2-4.
REVIEWING THE LUMBERJACKS: Northern Arizona roles into Albuquerque on a four-game win streak, rallying from an 0-7 start this season. The Lumberjacks have been dominant in their streak, handing 6-1 losses to Northern Colorado, Idaho and Weber State and shutting out Idaho State, 7-0.
NAU hasn’t had much success at No. 1 singles, going 2-9 after trying a trio of guys in the spot. Gareth Giblot-Ducray has seen the most time, going 2-7. Chris Arena, usually playing at No. 6, has won seven straight matches to lead the Lumberjacks.
Ducray and Arena form an unbeatable tandem, going 7-0 overall (4-0 at No. 2, 3-0 at No. 3).
HISTORY LESSONS: The Lobos have only faced Radford once, shutting them out, 7-0, in 2002.
New Mexico has taken on Minnesota six times, with the Gophers winning five. The last meeting was a 5-2 loss in 2000. The lone Lobo win was a 4-3 victory in 1999.
UNM is undefeated against Northern Arizona, holding an 18-0 all-time series record. The last four matches, in 2006, 2004, 2003 and 2002, were all 7-0 wins for the Lobos.
TALENTED TEAM: The Lobos are a solid team, having options for Nos. 1-6 in their singles line-up. Head coach Alan Dils has used at least two different guys in each position, including three different guys at Nos. 1, 3 and 6. He has also playing with the doubles pairings, using nine different tandems this season, including three different duos at No. 1.
SUCCESSFUL STREAKS: Several of the Lobos have been very successful in singles action recently. Junior Chris Parkes, sophomore Miles Bugby and freshman Joe Nicolazzi all have five-game win streaks while sophomore Johnny Parkes holds a three-game streak. Sophomore Chandler Brass has seen limited time this spring, but has won both matches he competed in.