Box Score LAS VEGAS, Nev. (March 18, 2023) - The Northern Arizona Lumberjacks topped the UNLV Rebels 5-2 on Saturday afternoon, putting the team's record at 13-2. While NAU had to work to create separation in many matches with the Rebels, the team found ways to create space in key matches and keep their momentum going into a crucial stretch of their season.
The Lumberjacks traveled to Las Vegas on a quick road trip following three home matches that saw them win 20 of a possible 21 points. The Lumberjacks had also topped two ITA ranked opponents in their previous four matches. UNLV was on a very different path, as they looked to snap a three match skid.
Junior Dominik Buzonics and freshman Makikel De Boes, who had both been riding high during the month of March, losing a combined two matches of 19 played between the two. The pair stayed hot during their doubles match, jumping out to an early lead and never looking back on their way to a 6-2 victory on court one. Courts two and three were far tighter however.
Both teams built narrow leads in very back and forth games, but the result was in question until the very end. Ultimately it was graduate students Facundo Tumosa and Daniel Dillon who secured the crucial doubles point for the Lumberjacks, managing to win two consecutive games after being tied 4-4. Senior Alex Groves and Sophomore Piotr Galus did not finish their match, but led 5-3 at the conclusion.
NAU once again put together strong sets in the singles matches, despite UNLV not making anything easy. Galus and Groves both carried on their momentum from doubles, winning their matches 6-2, 6-4. Sophomore Dani Torres had not played in doubles, but it did not slow the Spaniard as he also won 6-3, 6-1.
De Boes took his first loss in singles since February 14th, snapping a seven match win streak 6-1, 6-3 on court one. Junior Maciej Ziomber needed to play three sets to secure victory but showed great poise and walked away with a win 6-4, 3-6, 10-6.
The Lumberjack win extends their streak to 5 matches, just as the team prepares for a slate of Big Sky opponents. The Lumberjacks return home for a matchup with the Montana State Bobcats, who will be their second Big Sky foe this season. The Lumberjacks and Bobcats will square off in Flagstaff on March 24th at 10 a.m.
