Lobos Drop Road Match to SDSU 4-3

SAN DIEGO, Calif.  —  Much like the UNM women’s match in Albuquerque the day before, a tiebreak loss in the deciding doubles point proved costly as San Diego State edged New Mexico 4-3, handing UNM its first conference loss of the season.

The loss drops UNM to 11-8 on the year and 2-1 in the league, while San Diego State is now 13-5 overall and 2-2 in the league.  UNLV is now the only unbeaten team, but it is just 1-0 as its opening match with UNLV was rained out and a make-up date hasn’t been announced yet.

In doubles, Arda Azkara and Alex Maggs teamed for a 6-3 win at No. 1 doubles, as each would pick up two wins on the day.  However, UNM couldn’t clinch the point.  Ryoma Matsushita and Avery Tallakson lost 6-4 at No. 3 doubles, and then UNM’s Georgio Samaha and Nicolas Recoura went into a tiebreak against Johannes Seeman and Eugenio Gonzalez Fitzmaurice.  That match went to SDSU 7-4, and that point proved pivotal.

UNM got points from Azkara (6-2, 6-4) and Maggs (6-4, 6-3) to get the match to 2-2, but the Aztecs won the next two points to clinch the match.  Arthur Bellegy did finish his match with a 4-6, 6-3, 6-2 win to account for the 4-3 final.

UNM now returns home for a doubleheader of sorts, taking on Air Force on Saturday at noon and th New Mexico State on Saturday at 6 pm.