PHOENIX, Ariz. (February 7, 2021) – In the first matchup in the men's tennis season, the Lumberjacks headed south to face in-state opponent, Arizona State. Although Northern Arizona pulled away with a 6-1 loss, the Lumberjacks showed effort on the courts.
"The guys had a ton of fun out there today," head coach
Maciej Bogusz said. "You could really tell the group was very competitive and won't back down against any opponent."
The Sun Devils started out hot, securing the doubles point quickly after wins against duos Chris Steele/Dominik Buzonics (6-3) and Daniel Dillon/Marcus Sulen (6-1). The pair of Facundo Tumosa/Alex Groves were tied with their opponents at 4-4 before ASU won both courts.
Then, ASU pulled out two more wins on the singles court. Taking the first win, Nathan Ponwith faced Tumosa, scoring both of his sets 6-2. Arizona State's second win came from Jonah Wilson over NAU's Buzonics, with set scores of 6-2 and 6-1.
However, the Lumberjacks did not want to quit their fight yet. With ASU winning almost all of the first sets with the exception of Groves' 6-2 lead, the Lumberjacks forced three courts into the third set.
Groves' start did not finish through as Sun Devil, George Stupe, bested him 6-4 in the last two rounds.
Straker-Meads, after falling 6-3 in the first, fought to a 7-6 tie. The senior's momentum was stopped early by Andrea Bolla, who secured the final set win, 6-1.
Steele will start his singles match record positively as he came back in the second and third to win 6-4 in both sets over Christian Lerby after his initial 6-1 loss.
"Congrats to Chris on a big comeback win in his hometown," Bogusz said.
Unfortunately, the late push by the 'Jacks did not allow them to clinch the match against Arizona State. Ziomber battled hard in his second set after his first 6-3 deficit, but could not best ASU in their 7-5 game win.
Northern Arizona men's tennis will return to Flagstaff to regroup until their doubleheader against the University of Arizona on Feb. 20 in Tucson, Ariz.
DOUBLES RESULTS
- Andrea Bolla/Tim Ruehl (ASU) v. Facundo Tumosa/Alex Groves (NAU): 4-4, unf.
- Nathan Ponwith/Max McKennon (ASU) def. Chris Steele/Dominik Buzonics (NAU): 6-3
- Christian Lerby/George Stoupe (ASU) def. Daniel Dillon/Marcus Sulen (NAU): 6-1
Order of finish: 3, 2, 1
SINGLES RESULTS
- Nathan Ponwith (ASU) def. Facundo Tumosa (NAU): 6-2, 6-2
- Andrea Bolla (ASU) def. Eban Straker-Meads (NAU): 6-3, 6-7, 6-1
- Chris Steele (NAU) def. Christian Lerby (ASU): 1-6, 6-4, 6-4
- George Stoupe (ASU) def. Alex Groves (NAU): 2-6, 6-4, 6-4
- Jonah Wilson (ASU) def. Dominik Buzonics (NAU): 6-2, 6-1
- Tom LeBlanc (ASU) def. Maciej Ziomber (NAU): 6-3, 7-5
Order of finish: 5, 1, 6, 3, 4, 2
