BOX SCORE
DENVER, Colo. — The University of New Mexico Men’s Tennis team came out on top on Friday afternoon against Denver.
The Lobos (11-12, 3-3 MW) won their regional match 4-1 against the Pioneers (10-12, 3-0 SL) on Friday afternoon.
To begin doubles play, Sean Baklini and Rodolfo Jauregui were defeated by Wyatt Lovera and Pedro F. Del Valle 6-2 at the No. 3 spot. Ricky Hernandez-Tong and Lawrence Perrin grasped the first doubles point for the Lobos after they defeated Diogo Rocha and Jesse Ruder-Hook 6-2 at the No. 2 spot.
In a battle for the doubles point, Bart Van Leijsen and Dominic West came out on top with 7-6 victory at No. 1 over No. 60 Alex Gasson and Yannik James that gave the Lobos the 1-0 doubles point advantage.
In singles, Baklini fell to Denver’s Ignatius Castellano 5-7, 4-6 at the No. 6 that tied the Lobos and the Pioneers 1-1. However, the Pioneers couldn’t keep up and the Lobos closed out the match winning the next three points. West defeated Gasson 6-4, 7-6 at the No. 3 spot, Van Leijsen defeated James 7-6, 2-6, 6-2 at the No. 1 spot and Jauregui clinched the match with a win over Lovera 7-6, 6-4. The matches for Hernandez-Tong and Perrin at the No. 2 and No. 5 were left unfinished.
“This was a fun match to be a part of,” said head coach Ben Dunbar. “Denver competed hard, as they always do, and our guys stepped up in some big moments. It’s on to Air Force for our last regular season match. We are excited to finish the season strong!”
Bart Van Leijsen and Dominic West post a 12-5 overall record in doubles. Hernandez-Tong has a 12-8 dual record followed by Jorge Escutia with 8-7 for the Lobos in singles.
New Mexico makes their way down to Colorado Spring, Colo. to take on the Air Force Falcons (8-15, 0-5 MW) for their final match of the season on Saturday, April 22 at 3 p.m. MT. Air Force recently swept Nebraska-Omaha 7-0 on Friday afternoon. There will be a live stats and video feed for the match against the Falcons.
The Lobos head to the 2017 Mountain West tournament in Boise, Idaho on Friday, April 28. Be sure to follow the team for further updates on Facebook (UNM Men’s Tennis Team) and Twitter (@UNMMenTennis).
Lobos Shut Down Denver, 4-1
