TUCSON, Ariz. – The University of New Mexico men’s tennis team finished with a 1-1 record on day two of competition at the ITA Kick-Off event being hosted by the University of Arizona at the La Nelle Robson Tennis Center.
The sixty-first ranked Lobos started the day with a win over UC Irvine to extend their winning streak to 3-0. However, UNM fell to No. 41 Texas Tech in the second match of the day marking the Lobos’ first loss of the season.
(No. 61) UNM 4 vs UC Irvine
UNM came out strong in its match against UCI, especially for a team that was competing without senior and team co-captain Samir Iftikhar (who competes primarily in the number one spot for the Lobos). Iftikhar, who is ranked No. 41 nationally, broke his wrist in UNM’s match up against Arizona on Friday evening and is likely to be out for five to eight weeks.
Despite the tough loss in the lineup, the Lobos found a way to overcome the Anteaters.
Redshirt senior Mitchell McDaniels, redshirt sophomore Rodolfo Jauregui, senior James Hignett, and freshman Augustus Ge all contributed wins in the Lobos’ 4-2 victory over the Anteaters on Saturday morning. McDaniels defeated UCI’s Tyler Pham in a tight three-set match, 0-6, 6-4, 6-1. Jauregui tallied a 6-4, 6-0 win against Jonathan Hammel in the number four position. Hignett claimed his third straight singles win with his victory over Rafael Davidian, 2-6, 6-4, 6-2. Ge defeated Justin Agbayani, 6-4, 6-7, 6-4, in his first regular season match as a Lobo.
Sophomore Hayden Sabatka dropped a close three-set battle to UCI’s Nico Mertens in the number one position, 6-7, 6-4, 6-2. Freshman Bart Van Leijsen fell to Sebastian Heim, 6-3, 6-3.
(No. 61) UNM 4 vs (No. 41 Texas Tech)
UNM concluded the day with a 4-0 loss to TTU. The Lobos, who upset the Red Raiders on Friday morning, were not able to find the extra momentum they needed to claim another win.
No. 31 Felipe Soares defeated Sabatka 6-2, 6-4 in the number one spot. Hugo Dojas tallied a 6-4, 6-2 win over McDaniels, Alex Sendegeya defeated Jauregui, 7-6, 6-2, and TTU’s Francisco Zambron claimed a 6-2, 6-0 win over Lobo freshman Jorge Escutia.
Hignett’s and Van Leijsen’s matches went unfinished.
“The guys battled hard through two tough, physical matches,” interim head coach Bart Scott said. “We grew a lot as a team today and definitely went to school out there. We have a day off to rest and recover then we will be back Monday to get to work again.”
The Lobos, who have played four matches over the last two days, will have Sunday off. The ITA Kick-Off event will resume on Monday at 10 a.m. MST.
UNM is now 3-1 on the season.
Twitter: @UNMMenTennis | Facebook: Facebook.com/UNM.Men.Tennis
2015 ITA Kick-Off Weekend Schedule
Monday, Jan. 19
Arizona vs. No. 61 New Mexico | 10 am MST | Live Stats
No. 41 Texas Tech vs. UC Irvine | 10 am MST |
Arizona vs. No. 41 Texas Tech | 2 pm MST |
No. 61 New Mexico vs. UC Irvine | 2 pm MST | Live Stats