Despite an impressive win this weekend over a nationally ranked opponent by Ricky Hernandez-Tong, the Lobos (10-7) were unable to take home a win against Arizona State University (10-7), falling by a score of 4-1.
In double’s play, first flight Bart Van Leijsen and Jorge Escutia faced off against ASU’s Tim Ruehl and Michael Geerts but fell by a score of 6-2. In the second flight, Hernandez-Tong and Dominic West took on Makey Rakotomalala and Andrea Bolla, but also fell by a score of 6-3, putting the Sun Devils up by a score of 1-0 after doubles.
Van Leijsen took on Geerts in the singles competition, falling by a score of 6-3, 6-4 in the first flight. In the second flight, Hernandez-Tong took on 40th ranked Benjamin Hannestad, and was successful in nabbing the first point for the Lobos, winning by a score of 6-1, 6-4.
Unfortunately for the Lobos, this impressive win was followed by a pair of losses by UNM, with Stepan Holis falling to Bolla by a score of 6-3, 6-4 in flight five and Escutia falling to Rakotomalala by score of 6-0, 6-4 in the third flight, clinching the match for the Sun Devils with a final score of 1-4 in ASU’s favor.
“There was plenty to take home to work on from our loss out here in Phoenix,” Head Coach Ben Dunbar said. “I feel like we are really close to playing good team tennis and I’m excited to see the guys open our conference slate on Friday at 4 P.M. in Albuquerque. We are exited to play at home again and have our UNM tennis fans supporting us.”
The Lobos will return to Albuquerque on Friday, March 30 to take on Nevada at 4 P.M., kicking off Mountain West play for the season.