FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. — In just its second time hosting this season, the Northern Arizona men's tennis team garnered a 6-1 win against Montana.
It was a tough rematch for the Lumberjacks since last falling to the Grizzlies in the Big Sky Conference semifinals last season.
"It was a hard-fought match, but we came together as a team to pull off the win," Director of Tennis
Ki Kroll said.
Northern Arizona started off strong in doubles clinching the point with wins at the No. 3 and No. 1 positions.
With a new lineup,
Ruben Montano and
Sebastian Eguez took on the Grizzlies at the No. 3 position defeating Alexander Canellopoulos and Ludvig Hallgren 6-3. Montana evened it up at the No. 2 position against
Lucas Taylor and
Adi Zilberstein before
Tim Handel and
Thomas Fisher clinched the point with a 6-4 win over UM's Victor Casadevall and Ignacio Tejerina.
In singles, the Lumberjacks battled back and forth with Taylor increasing the lead to 2-0 against Casadevall 6-1, 6-2.
Montana then got on the board with its lone win 6-1, 7-6(2) against Zilberstein.
Northern Arizona was able to clinch the victory with both Handel and Montano winning in two sets 6-3, 6-4 and 7-5, 7-5, respectively.
The win was clinched at 4-1 before Eguez and freshman
Chris Steele finished it off for Northern Arizona. Eguez picked up a 7-5, 7-5 win while Steele battled it out in a 6-4, 6-7, 10-8 win.
"We are going to take this win and run with it," said Kroll. "We now have to focus on Montana State."
With the final score 6-1 the Lumberjacks increased to 8-10 overall and 6-2 in the Big Sky. The 'Jacks will host again Saturday, April 7 against Montana State. Tomorrow's match is set for a 10 a.m. start time.
