FLAGSTAFF, Ariz (February 25, 2022) - Northern Arizona Men's Tennis defeated Mesa Community College and New Mexico State University on Friday, sweeping both teams 7-0.
The 'Jacks remain undefeated at home upping their record to 9-4, and are 21-0 in doubles play on their home courts. Friday's matches began with a three court sweep in doubles, with Facundo Tumosa and Eban Straker-Meads bringing in the 6-2 win to the Thunderbirds Beto Carlton and Harry Browning.
Alex Groves and Dominik Buzonics continued their winning momentum in doubles play with a 6-1 win on court two to Cameron Khan and Arturo Salvo Socias. Completing the sweep, Maciej Ziomber and Daniel Dillon knocked down MCC's Duncan Mulenga and Andrew Hoffman, 6-1.
Marcus Sulen stepped up in his court five singles match, as lineups were played around a bit for the 'Jacks, finishing up with a 6-1, 6-1 win to Mulenga. Joachim Schaefer took court four against Salvo Socias, blanking the Thunderbird 6-0, 6-0. Freshman Dani Torres competed on court three, his highest position yet for NAU, coming up with a 6-0,6-2 win.
Straker-Meads slid back into court one for the morning matchup, earning his 6-0, 6-2 victory to Carlton. Groves gave Browning a singles loss on court two, bringing in the 6-0,6-2 win, followed by Morgan Donovan who wrapped up the match to Lukas Baruffi, earning a 6-4, 6-0 victory.
"I just told the guys we really showed why we are nationally ranked, why we are No. 68 in the nation. From the start to finish, there was really strong doubles and great energy carrying on to singles," Head Coach Maciej Bogusz said. "By the time the team gave themselves a chance, the match was basically over.
The Aggies put up tough competition throughout all courts in doubles and singles play, pushing the 'Jacks to their best performances. Tumosa and Straker-Meads earned a 6-3 victory on court one to begin the evening match, followed by a 6-3 win from Buzonics and Groves, and a 7-6 (7-4) tiebreaker win for Ziomber and Dillon.
Schaefer brought in a quick win on court six, earning a 6-1, 6-2 win to the Aggies Gijs Akkermans. Ziomber, while only allowing one point throughout two sets, won his match 6-1, 6-0, on court four to Itay Feigin. Buzonics stepped into high gear on court three, with a 6-4, 6-2 win to Martin Simecek. Buzonics was down 2-3 in the first set before making his move and moving on to win the set.
Straker-Meads battled through his match on court two to Corey Clarke, winning the first set 6-2, and falling in the second, 4-6. The two went back and forth, with both athletes showing off great serves, Straker-Meads held on to earn the 7-5 win in the third set. Facundo Tumosa faced Louis Menard on court one, winning the first set 6-2, and dropping the second set 4-6. To finish up the night for the Lumberjacks, Tumosa snagged the 7-5 win, solidifying the 7-0 win to NMSU.
"No matter how hard the challenge it, we won't take tomorrow for granted. The GCU team beat New Mexico State in the finals of their conference the last two seasons, so it's going to be the same level program and we got to recover, come back, and do this again," Bogusz said. "What we did today is not going to matter if we're not going to be successful tomorrow."
The Lumberjacks will take on the Grand Canyon University Lopes tomorrow at 4 p.m. MST, you can stream the match here.
