Despite an impressive start in double’s play, the University of New Mexico Men’s Tennis team (1-2) was unable to finish with enough wins in singles, falling to the Lumberjacks of Northern Arizona University (1-0) by a score of 4-3.
The No. 2 flight duo of Ricky Hernandez-Tong and Dominic West started the day in doubles with a win over Felix Schumann and Sebastian Eguez of NAU, 6-1, followed by another Lobo win by No. 1 double’s flight consisting of Bart Van Leijsen and Jorge Escutia over Tim Handel and Ruben Montano, with a score of 7-6 (7-2), putting the Lobos up 1-0 after doubles.
In singles play, UNM No. 6 single’s Stepan Holis was beat out in two by NAU’s Sebastian Eguez with a final score of 3-6, 2-6; however, this was followed by an exciting two-set victory by UNM’s No. 4 flight Jorge Escutia, 6-4, 6-0. Unfortunately, this was followed by back-to-back losses for the Lobos, with No. 1 flight Hernandez-Tong falling to NAU’s Tim Handel, 5-7, 4-6, and No. 3 flight Dominic West getting beat by Thomas Fisher, 6-7 (4-7), 2-6.
With the entire match on the line, No. 2 flight Bart Van Leijsen was able to earn the win over NAU’s Lucas Taylor by a score of 7-6 (7-5), 6-4, tying the match up at 3-3 for the day with only the No. 6 flight single’s matchup of UNM’s Sean Baklini and Ruben Montano left to play. Unfortunately for the Lobos, Baklini was just edged out in three by Montano, falling 6-4, 4-6, 6-7 (4-7), putting the final score at 4-3 for the Lumberjack win.
The Lobos will face two teams on Saturday, Feb. 3, Nebraska Omaha at 8 a.m. and Michigan State at 1 p.m,. on the first of two days of tennis play in Des Moines, Iowa, concluding with a matchup against Drake at 10 a.m. on Sunday, Feb. 4.
Lobos edged out by NAU 4-3 in first home match
