FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. (April 13, 2019) – The Northern Arizona men's tennis team were able to take down both the University of Idaho and Mesa Community College on April, 13 in the Aquatic and Tennis Complex. The Lumberjacks were able to take down the Vandals 6-1 to start the day, then were able to beat the Thunderbirds 7-0.
"Great day for the team today," NAU head coach
Maciej Bogusz said. "We were very professional on the court in both matches. I am happy that the team is much more mature with the way handle different opponents and situations during the matches. Kudos to our seniors, they are doing an amazing job leading the team."
With the two wins, NAU now moves to a record of 17-6 on the season and a perfect 10-0 in the Big Sky. The undefeated record in conference play has helped the 'Jacks lock up the regular season Big Sky Championship and lock up the No. 1 seed in the conference tournament following the end of the season. The loss on the day moved UI to 5-13, while it moved MCC to 8-4 on the year.
Match 1
The Lumberjacks were able to come out against Idaho and set the tone early by taking the doubles point. All three of the Lumberjack duo's won their matches. The 'Jacks No. 3 tandem of
Lucas Taylor and
Facundo Tumosa started the doubles session with a 6-0 win.
Following the No. 3 doubles, NAU's pair of
Chris Steele and
Tom Fisher clinched the doubles point by taking the No. 2 doubles match 6-2. After already taking the point, the Lumberjacks No. 1 duo of
Tim Handel and
Ruben Montano won their match 6-3.
The 'Jacks continued their great play as they entered their singles matches. The first match to come to completion was the No. 6 singles match where Fisher was able to win 6-1, 6-4. With a 2-0 lead, the Lumberjacks' Handel was able to win the No. 1 singles 6-2, 6-4.
With a 3-0 lead, and just one point away from clinching the win Northern Arizona's Montano was able to win the No 5 singles 6-3, 6-2. This win marks the 13th straight win for NAU on the season.
With the win in hand, the Lumberjacks finished the match by winning two of the final three matches. NAU's No. 3 and No. 5 singles players were able to win their match. Tumosa won the No. 3 singles match 6-3, 4-6 and 6-2, while Taylor won the No. 2 singles by a score of 7-6, 6-2.
Match 2
Similar to the first match of the day, NAU was able to jump out to a 1-0 lead after taking the doubles point against Mesa Community College. The 'Jacks No. 2 tandem of Steele and Fisher won their match 6-1. Following the win by the No. 2 doubles pair, Handel and Montano won the No. 1 doubles by a score of 6-1. The win by the two seniors clinched the point for NAU. Although already winning the doubles point, Northern Arizona's Tumosa and Taylor won the No. 3 doubles match 6-3.
Similar to the first match of the day Northern Arizona was able to carry over the momentum from doubles into singles. NAU was able to win all six of the singles matches.
Daniel Dillon kicked off singles for the 'Jacks as he won the No. 6 singles match 6-0, 6-1 to extend the lead to 2-0. Following Dillon, Montano was able to pick up his second singles win on the day as he won the No. 5 singles match 6-2, 6-0. With a 3-0 lead, the freshman Tumosa sealed NAU's 14th straight win as he won the No. 3 singles match 6-4, 6-3.
The final three Lumberjack single victories were at the No. 2, 4 and 1 positions. Taylor was able to win his match by a score of 6-3 and 6-2, while Steele won his singles match 6-3, 6-2. NAU's No. 1 player Handel was the final match to finish on the day as he won 6-1, 6-7 and 10-7.
Looking forward
Northern Arizona will be back in action tomorrow April 14 to face Western New Mexico at 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. Before the second match of the day, NAU will celebrate senior day for its five seniors.
