FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. – The Northern Arizona University men's tennis team snagged its second straight win in its inaugural match in the Aquatic and Tennis Complex against Western New Mexico this afternoon, Feb. 21. The Lumberjacks, coming off a win over UC Riverside less than 24 hours prior, picked up right where they left off taking down the defending Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference champions in a convincing 7-0 sweep.

"This one feels really good," Head Coach Ki Kroll said. "It was an exciting atmosphere playing in front of a great crowd and on our home floor for the first time. I know today was a highly anticipated day for our guys. It definitely met all of our expectations."

Sophomore Eden Peleg and freshman Lucas Taylor rattled off Northern Arizona's first doubles victory after defeating Western New Mexico's Blayze O'Keefe and Liam Fraboulet 6-4. Peleg and Taylor have not been paired at line two for long, but today's victory marks their second of the season as they also won at University of Arizona earlier this month.  Jackson Lee and Felix Schumann also join the undefeated club (2-0) as they beat Jean-Laurent Pageault and Pablo Santibanez 6-3 to secure the doubles point.

While all six Lumberjacks won their singles matches to give NAU its first sweep of the year, NAU found out what they were made of as four of the six went to three sets and two included tie breakers. Tim Handel and Taylor both took down their opponents in straight sets to give the 'Jacks their second and third points of the afternoon. Clinching the match on court six was Lee with a final score of 7-6(5), 7-5 as Peleg's, Schumann's and Ruben Montano's matches all went to three sets. Each Lumberjack would hold on to round out NAU's seven points on courts three, four and five respectively.

Today was Montano's first victory in the blue and gold and Taylor has now won three straight singles matches. Peleg currently holds a winning record as he advances to 3-2 in singles play. Peleg along with Lee and Handel have all strung together back-to-back singles victories.

The Lumberjacks have a three-match home stand coming up against Air Force, Montana and Loyola Marymount next weekend, Feb. 27- March 1. Kroll and his squad look to carry this weekend's momentum into another challenging and action-packed weekend.

Results

Doubles

1. Tim Handel/Ruben Montano (NAU) vs. Tristan Da Lio/Vladamir Gnilozubov (WNM) 5-4, unfinished
2. Eden Peleg/Lucas Taylor (NAU)  def. Jean-Laurent Pageault/Pablo Santibanez (WNM) 6-3
3. Jackson Lee/Felix Schumann (NAU) def.  Blayze O'Keefe/Liam Fraboulet (WNM) 6-4

Order of Finish: 2, 3

Singles

1. Tim Handel (NAU) def. Jean-Laurent Pageault (WNM) 7-5, 6-2
2. Lucas Taylor (NAU) def. Vladimir Gnilozubov (WNM) 6-0, 7-5
3. Eden Peleg (NAU) def. Tristan Da Lio (WNM) 6-3, 1-6, 6-2
4. Felix Schumann (NAU) def. Blayze O'Keefe (WNM) 4-6, 6-4, 6-0
5. Ruben Montano (NAU) def. Liam Fraboulet (WNM) 6-7(5), 6-3, (10-8)
6. Jackson Lee (NAU) def. Pablo Santibanez (WNM) 7-6(5), 7-5

Order of Finish: 2, 1, 6*, 4, 3, 5

*Clinched the Match