FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. (March 30, 2023) - The NAU Men's Tennis team will be back in action this week after a quick break due to a match cancellation by Montana State last week.
The 13-2 Lumberjacks will be taking on two Big Sky opponents in addition to a Lewis-Clark State matchup in between taking on the Eastern Washington Eagles and the Idaho Vandals on Friday and Sunday, respectively.
NAU has found themselves in the ITA ranking for four straight weeks now, as the only Big Sky school to be in the nation's top 75 teams this season. NAU holds an overall singles record of 69-16 highlighted by sophomore Piotr Galus' 13-1 run, heading into Big Sky play this weekend. Dani Torres has gone 8-2 through his last ten matches, followed closely by Maciej Ziomber who holds a 7-1 record this season.
Galus and doubles partner Alex Groves lead the team in doubles with a 10-2 record, while NAU as a team has only dropped five doubles matches total with 33 victories on their resume. Facundo Tumosa and Daniel Dillon lead the conference in doubles play as the pairing hold a 6-1 record.
The Eastern Washington Eagles will enter Friday's matchup with a 4-8 record, going 0-3 in Big Sky play so far. The Eagles have not picked up a division I victory this season with four wins coming to Whitman College, Lewis & Clark State College, Whitworth, and William Jessup.
The Eagles are led by Brady Thomas who holds a 3-2 record at the No. 6, alongside Bruno Ortega who holds a 4-5 record with three wins at the No. 6 and one at the No. 5. The team has gone 24-48 in overall singles play. Steven Paz and Ortega hold a 2-4 record at the No. 2 ad No. 3 slots, with the team holding an 8-23 overall doubles record.
Saturday the Jacks will head to Idaho to take on the Lewis-Clark State College Warriors who have a 7-11 record this season, with their most recent win coming to Georgetown college in Kentucky on Wednesday. This will be the first meeting between the two teams.
Sunday, the Lumberjacks will take the first crack at the reigning Big Sky Champions , the Idaho Vandals, who are currently 9-6 this season and 2-0 in conference play. The Vandals are coming off a conference victory to Idaho State where they claimed a 4-3 win in Pocatello. The Vandals first Big Sky win came in 6-1 fashion to Eastern Washington back in February.
Francisco Bascon holds a 12-3 record at the No. 1 slot to lead the Vandals in singles play. Following closely in Mario Duron with a 8-4 record at the No. 5 and No.6, alongside Bruno Casino who holds a 9-6 overall record, going 6-2 at the No. 3. Bascon and Matteo Masala lead the team in doubles play with a 7-5 record at the No. 1 spot.
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