Lobos Edged Out by No. 55 Utah 4-2

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. — In a similar match to Saturday, the Lobos were right there with a nationally-ranked foe, and once again the Lobos got clipped at the end of the line.  This time UNM took two singles matches and were in for the possible final point, but a 7-5 loss at No. 2 singles did UNM in as No. 55 Utah won 4-2.  Overall the Lobos went 1-2 on the week and finally ended a nine-match season opening swing away from home.

UNM has the weekend off before hosting Wichita State and Santa Clara in the Jack Kennedy Classic March 7 and March 9 at McKinnon Family Tennis Stadium.

Utah took the doubles point 2-0 and then the two teams split the six opening sets, with Aram Noroozian, Daniil Kakhniuk and Avery Tallakson all winning.  UNM would need a three-set win somewhere but it wasn’t to be.  Kakhniuk’s team-leading 13th singles win evened things at 1-1, but the Utes took courts three and four to move to 3-1 and within one of a win.  Tallakson continued his solid play with another win, this 6-2, 7-5, but Utah clinched the win at No. 2 singles at Reid Jarvis defeated Aditya Balsekar 6-3, 7-5 to end the match.

Had Balsekar forced a third set, the match was up for grabs as Noroozian was in a tense battle at No. 1, leading Burk Bugarikj 6-3, 2-6, 3-2 when everything was halted.