The University of New Mexico men’s tennis team (5-2) earned their fourth consecutive win on the road as they defeated the Tigers of the University of the Pacific (1-6) by a score of 4-1.
In double’s play, the day started with the first and only loss for the Lobos, and the second flight double’s team of Dominic West and Michael Tran were beat by Pacific’s Ross Watson and Akram El Sallaly by a score of 6-2. Despite this loss, the Lobos were able to win the next two doubles matches, with first flight of Bart Van Leijsen and Jorge Escutia beating Mikayel Khachatryan and Johnathan Lieu, 7-5, and third flight Stepan Holis and Sean Baklini beating Bernardo Oliveira and Chris Cajigan, 6-4.
In single’s play, sixth flight Baklini nabbed a win over Cajigan, 6-2, 6-1, which was unfortunately followed by a loss by Holis in the fourth flight by Oliveira, by a score of 6-4, 6-2. After a win by Van Leijsen in the first flight over Khachatryan, 6-3, 7-6, West was able to clinch the match in the second flight, besting El Sallaly by a score of 7-6, 6-4.
“Another good win today against a very dangerous and well-coached Pacific team,” Head Coach Ben Dunbar said. “They took it to us and we responded well. Our guys are starting to find their rhythm and we hope to have another good match where we make improvements on Sunday.”
The Lobos will take on the Broncos of Santa Clara University (4-2) on Sunday at 11 a.m. in Santa Clara, Calif. as they face their last road performance before coming home to face Utah (7-1) on Friday, Feb. 23 and UC Santa Barbara (3-1) on Sunday, Feb. 25.