Lobos Drop 4-1 Decision at San Diego State

SAN DIEGO, Calif. — New Mexico dropped a 4-1 decision that saw four three-setters in singles, two of which were headed UNM’s way, as the Lobos lost a second Mountain West match in excruciating fashion.  The win for San Diego State moves them to 6-10 overall and 2-2 in the Mountain West, and it came on Senior Day.  UNM dropped to 9-11 overall and 3-2 in the Mountain West, missing out on a chance to move into sole possession of first place.

The Lobos end the season hosting Utah State on Saturday at noon. UNM would need a loss on Thursday or Saturday by Nevada in order to earn a share of a third straight Mountain West regular season title.

UNM lost the doubles point by falling 2-0 in doubles.  From there, the two teams split a pair of quick matches.  San Diego State took No. 5 singles as Judson Blair beat Alex Maggs 6-3, 6-3, but Georgio Samaha eanred his team-leading 16th singles win at No. 6, beating Roni Rikkonen 6-3, 6-3.  That made it 2-1 San Diego State, and the other four matches all went to a third set.  They all ended up there because UNM lost the opening set in all four of those matches and bounced back with wins in all four second sets.

SDSU went up 3-1 at No. 3 singles as Victor Castro defeated Aram Noroozian 6-2, 2-6, 6-3.  UNM had leads at No. 2 and No. 4 singles, but SDSU clinched the match with a win at No. 1 as Joe Tyler beat Arda Azkara 6-3 1-6, 6-3.  Rafael Abdulsalam was up 6-1, 5-7, 5-2 with match point when the match was halted, and Jan Pucalk was up 2-0 in the third.