May 18, 2010
Final Season Statistics
The University of New Mexico men’s tennis team posted a losing record for the first time since 2000, going 8-12 in 2010, but had many factors working against them. Of the Lobos’ 18 opponents, 14 were ranked in the ITA Top 75. Of the seven Lobos who competed, six were underclassmen. And, of the 12 losses by UNM, six of them were by one point or less.
Despite the 8-12 record and 3-3 Mountain West Conference mark, the Lobos finished tied for third in the conference and earned a No. 3 seed in the MWC tournament. The Lobos, who had reached the championship match in each of the past two seasons, were quickly ousted from the quarterfinals, losing 4-3, to host UNLV.
UNM opened the season ranked No. 49 in the ITA poll and, with a 3-3 record six matches into the season, looked capable of going up or down. Unfortunately, a 4-3 loss to in-state rival New Mexico State began a three-match losing streak that, with losses from then-ranked No. 46 Minnesota and No. 22 Washington, left them at 3-6. UNM would win three out of its next four to go to 6-7, but a four-match losing streak, the first since 2000, plagued the Lobos to send them to 6-11. The Lobos bounced back with back-to-back 6-1 wins over TCU and Air Force heading into the MWC tournament, but were victims of another 4-3 loss via UNLV to abruptly and harshly end their season.
The Lobos return all of their players next year and welcome recruits Mads and Simon Hegelund.
THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS
UNM nabbed three players to the All-Mountain West Conference singles team for the sixth time in 10 years, however this contingent marks the first time the trio has been comprised entirely of underclassmen. Freshman Jadon Phillips joined sophomores Carl Ho and Ben Dunbar on the singles squad. Phillips also landed on the doubles team, accompanied by partner Phil Anderson. Ho and Dunbar were charged as sophomores to handle the top two spots of UNM’s singles lineup.
Phillips is the only Freshman of the Year in the MWC’s history to also make both the All-MWC singles and doubles teams.
The Lobos took home the most hardware of any MWC team, with the three singles spots, one doubles honor and Phillips’ Freshman of the Year award.
FEELING FRESH
True freshmen Conor Berg and Jadon Phillips made significant showings in their first seasons as Lobos. Phillips picked up the MWC Freshman of the Year honor, was the first Lobo to 20 wins, and went 5-1 in conference play. Berg also produced a 20-win season, finishing the year with a 10-match singles streak intact and an eight-match doubles streak and was undefeated (6-0) in conference action.
GOIN’ STREAKIN’
Berg’s 10-match singles winning streak and eight-match doubles winning streak, with Dunbar, left the freshman with a perfect 6-0 mark in conference play. Prior to rattling off the wins, Berg had lost four straight after starting the season 2-5. His last loss in singles came on March 6, 2010, and his last doubles defeat was on March 14. Dunbar and Berg went 9-1 in dual doubles, including an impeccable 8-0 mark at the No. 2 slot.
HOME SUCCESS
UNM posted a 6-3 home mark this season and is 22-5 over the past three seasons at home.
ROAD WOESThe Lobos went 2-9 away from Albuquerque this season, including neutral and away matches, with a 1-3 mark in neutral contests and a 1-6 true road record.
DOUBLING UP
UNM used 10 different doubles combinations during the dual season, including six different pairs at the No. 2 slot. The Lobos are 6-1 when winning the doubles point.
THE TWO CENTURIES MARK
Head coach Alan Dils is just eight wins away from 200. Dils, who just wrapped up his 14th season at the helm of the Lobos, has a career 192-129 mark.
FALL RECAP
The Lobos wrapped up their fall schedule at the ITA Mountain Regional where seven Lobos put in 39 matches over four days at the event, compiling a record of 25-14. Ho made it to the round of 16 main draw in singles and partnered with Anderson to advance to the round of 16 in doubles. UNM went 49-36 in fall singles and 19-12 in fall doubles. In UNM’s annual Balloon Fiesta Invite, Ho snatched the “A” singles championship while Berg won the “B” singles championship.