Men's tennis opens season with tough losses to upper-division NCAA schools
The men's tennis team faced a tough way to begin its 2018 season, playing two strong NCAA four-year schools.
Despite falling to Division II Western New Mexico, 6-3, and Division I New Mexico State, 7-0, head coach Ali Borhani was upbeat about the weekend.
"We took a tough loss to Western on the court in two ways, said Borhani. "First a strong showing from the Mustangs give them the 6-3 win. But in doing so Mesa's top player, Gergo Rendek, was injured and pulled out of the singles. This should have been a 5-4 win for us," Borhani added.
"Our Number 1, doubles and No. 3 doubles were both up a break late and lost. with so many freshmen playing their first ever competitive match it is hard to expect them to have that maturity. All in all though I was very happy as the team made the atmosphere feel like a home match and Artur Etzberger came back from a set and break down to win 7-5 in the third.
On the New Mexico State match Borhani commented, "It was a rough one without Gergo playing singles or doubles. We hope to get him back soon as he is the only sophomore and one of our best players. I couldn't ask for anything more though as he and Yuri Jacob were designated as coaches and did an incredible job.
"Etezberger and Griffin Sauer played a close doubles match losing 6-4. In singles play Jorge Sala competed well at No, 1 spot losing 6-2,6-3, and Eztberger at the three spot losing 6-4,6-2.
"I'm so proud of this group and how much they have improved from the fall. We have so much to learn and improve on, but intensity and effort is not one of them."
The T-Birds travel to San Diego this weekend. They will meet Point Loma Friday in an exhibition and then San Diego Mesa Saturday.