Irvine, Calif. — The University of New Mexico men’s tennis team fell to UC Irvine 5-2 on Saturday at Anteater Tennis Stadium.
New Mexico (6-9) had a rough start in doubles play against the ‘Eaters (5-7). Ricky Hernandez-Tong and Rodolfo Jauregui were defeated by Mason Hansen and Luca Marquard of UCI at the top spot, 6-1. The Lobos came back with a win from Bart Van Leijsen and Dominic West after defeating Sebastian Heim and Luis Lopez of UCI at the No. 2, 6-4.
The doubles point was claimed by the Anteaters after Sean Baklini and Jorge Escutia fell to Vatsal Bajpai and Bruce Man-Son-Hing, 7-5.
In singles play, Hernandez-Tong was defeated by Marquard, 6-3, 6-3, at No. 2. West put the Lobos on the board with a win over Hansen 6-2, 6-3 at No. 4. Jauregui fell to Lopez 6-2, 6-3 at No. 3, and Baklini fell to Bajpa, 6-3, 6-4 at No. 6. The Anteaters had a 4-1 advantage over the Lobos.
Van Leijsen was defeated by Heim of UCI at No. 1, 6-3, 4-6, 6-1 that clinched the Anteater’s final victory while Escutia managed to grasp one last win for the Lobos over Man-Son-Hing at No. 5, 6-4, 4-6, 12-10.
The Lobos are back in action this week with a home match on Tuesday, Mar. 14 at 11 a.m. against Northern Arizona.
Lobos fall to UC Irvine
