Box Score 1 |
Box Score 2 TUCSON, Ariz. (March 3, 2023) - Northern Arizona Men's Tennis split a pair of weekend matches against two ranked opponents. In a tough set of matches, the Lumberjacks fell to #17 Arizona, 4-1, before upsetting #66 Gonzaga in a 4-3 nail biter. This marks the first NAU win over a ranked opponent this season.
NAU entered as the underdog in both matches, but the Lumberjacks proved that they are not a team to be taken lightly during Friday's match against the Wildcats before Saturday's exciting upset.
ARIZONA
Despite losing in the doubles portion of the match, NAU kept things close throughout. The Lumberjacks showed resolve on courts one and three. Court 1 saw the two teams battle for a decisive point. In a back and forth match senior Alex Groves and sophomore Piotr Galus ultimately fell 6-4, securing a point for Arizona. Juniors Dominik Buzonics and Maciej Ziomber finished their match ahead 3-4, but did not get to complete it as the other two courts had finished in Wildcat victories.
Singles saw more Lumberjacks challenge highly rated Wildcats in a series of close matches. Highlighted by Buzonics, who scored the first match victory against an Arizona player since 2020, picking up a victory 6-4, 6-1. Freshman Maikel De Boes forced a third set on court three before the match was ultimately called, 5-7, 6-3, 3-3. Groves came out swinging in the first set, winning 7-6, but couldn't carry his momentum into the following sets as he fell 6-1, 6-1. Ziomber had fallen narrowly 7-5 in the opening set but was tied 5-5 when the match was called, rounding out the slate of close matches.
The Lumberjacks would move on to take on the No. 66 Gonzaga Bulldogs (5-3) on Saturday at 2.p.m. MST. NAU was searching for an upset against a ranked opponent before a home for a three-game homestand.
GONZAGA
Carrying momentum over from their previous showdown with Arizona, the Lumberjacks pounced on Gonzaga early. All three NAU duos took big leads and the team quickly secured victory. Graduate student Facundo Tumosa and freshman Maikel De Boes dispatched their opponents in a 6-1 match. The point was secured by the partnership of juniors Dominki Buzonics and Maciej Ziomber who also took a 6-1 set. Senior Alex Groves and sophomore Piotr Galus were not far behind at 5-2, but did not get to finish their match.
The Lumberjacks had the advantage but had to fight through the singles portion of the match. Sophomore Dani Torres stepped into court six after not playing in the doubles matches, but capitalized on the momentum his team had put together. Torres won straight sets 6-3, 6-4. Galus also took straight sets but needed a tie breaker to get past his opponent on court two, 6-4, 7-6.
The Lumberjacks were within one set of winning the match, but it would not be easy to find that victory. Court five saw the Groves fall in straight sets 6-4, 6-3, while Buzonics couldn't extend court three to a third set, falling in a second set tiebreaker 6-3, 7-6. With two courts remaining, the Lumberjacks would need to win at least one of the ensuing third sets.
On court five Ziomber had overcome a 6-2 opening set loss and returned a 6-2 victory in the second set. Unfortunately the junior was unable to pull off the comeback and lost the final set 6-2 as well. It all came down to the top court's third set.
De Boes would not leave anything to chance. After falling 6-2 in the first set and needing an extra game to win the second set 7-5, the freshman won a dominant 6-3 third set and delivered a Lumberjack win over a ranked opponent.
"It absolutely took our entire roster to get this victory against a very good Gonzaga team," said NAU head coach Maciej Bogusz. "I am very proud of the team and especially when down in the matches."
The Lumberjacks now move on to a three game home stand. First on the agenda is the Air Force Falcons on Friday March 10, before a double header on Wednesday March 15. All games will be played at the Aquatics and Tennis center.
