ALBUQUERQUE, N.M.— The University of New Mexico men’s tennis squad started day one of the 2015 UTSA/ITA Regional Championships despite some unforgiving rains throughout the morning. All matches took place inside the Linda Estes Tennis Center on dry courts.
Head coach Bart Scott said it was a successful day, even with the rain. “It’s great to have the indoor back up to ensure big tournaments like this run without a hitch despite what Mother Nature may throw at us.”
The first round of singles was played as well as the first and second rounds of doubles. The second round of singles will be carried out tomorrow.
In singles play, Sean Baklini battled Juan Canales of Brigham Young University to a full three sets. He defeated Canales 6-4, 6-7, 7-5 and moves on to play Matt Cowley of University of Utah.
Ricky Hernandez-Tong also played the first round of singles today and took on Tomasz Soltyka of the University of Montana. He also went three sets and came out on top, beating his opponent 4-6, 6-1, 7-5. He goes on to play against New Mexico State University tomorrow.
Jorge Escutia, Bart Van Leijsen, Michael Tran, Hayden Sabatka and Augustus Ge had byes in the first round and they will play their first singles matches tomorrow.
In doubles play, the no. 1 seeded duo of Hayden Sabatka and Bart Van Leijsen had a bye in the first round and played against Soltyka and Mimnagh-Fleming of the University of Montana in the second. They defeated them 8-6 and go onto the round of 16 to play against a team from Utah State University.
No. 9 seeded Escutia and Ge also clinched a spot in the final 16 when they defeated Shao-Po Yin and Hinzte of Weber State University 8-5. They will go on to play against Rocha and James of Denver University who are seeded fourth in the tournament.
Tran and Baklini took on Handel and Schumann of Northern Arizona University, but fell short after losing 8-6.
Head coach Bart Scott said he is overall happy with the day, but there are some areas that the Lobos need to improve on.
“Great to see our freshman Ricky win today in his first ever college tennis match,” he said. “He showed real fight coming back from 2-5 in the third against an experienced opponent. Also, it was great to see Albuquerque native Sean Baklini win a tight three setter and advance. Tomorrow will be a telling day for all the teams and we’re excited to compete.”
For a look at the updated singles draw for day one, click here.
For a look at the updated doubles draw for day one, click here.
The Lobos continue to play in the Regional Championships tomorrow and through the weekend. For quick updates on possible weather delays and changes in schedules, follow the team’s twitter account.
Men’s Tennis Match Scores:
Sabatka/Van Leijsen (UNM) def. Soltyka/Mimnagh-Fleming (UM) 8-6
Escutia/Ge (UNM) def. Shao-Po Yin/Hinzte (WSU) 8-5
Handel/Schumann (NAU) def. Tran/Baklini (UNM) 8-6
Baklini (UNM) def. Canales (BYU) 6-4, 6-7, 7-5
Hernandez-Tong (UNM) def. Soltyka (UM) 4-6, 6-1, 7-5