Skip to navigation Skip to content Skip to footer
Mesa Tennis falls to Ottawa University on Saturday
Mesa Tennis falls to Ottawa University on Saturday
Posted: Mar 31, 2024

Mesa Tennis falls to Ottawa University on Saturday

Sunday March 31, 2024 - 9:00 a.m. | Dylan DeVlieger

Mesa Tennis suffered a pair of losses at the hands of Ottawa University on Saturday in non-conference action. 

Mesa will have some time to reset as they won't be back on the court until April 11th when they host Paradise Valley in conference action. Mesa will host NAU Club in a scrimmage on April 6.

Head coach Feroz Rast knew ith the T-Birds playing their third match of the week fatigue played a factor in their performance as they just didnt have the same energy as normal.

"I thought we were a little off gas today. It was the third match of the week and I felt that we definitely could have played better," said Rast, "doubles, which is normally our strength, didn't show it today and we fell behind big early on both the men and women's sides."

Women:
The Lady T-Birds fell 6-3 in their match with the Spirit on Saturday as their overall record falls to 5-5 (5-0 ACCAC).  

 In doubles action No. 1 pair Mikaela Correa / Jackelin Almada Lopez along with No. 2 pair Sienna Buttafuoco / Lynn Angulo both fell 2-8 to their opponents. 

In singles play the No. 24 Lady T-Birds were able to pick up two wins (one against no opponent) as Journey Barajas won, 6-1, 6-1 in No. 5 competition.

Unfortunately for Mesa, Barajas (and MCC's win against no opponent) were the sole victories in singles play for the T-Birds as No. 1-4 competition was dominated by Ottawa.

Rast and company continued to see growth and and poise from their young core as Barajas was a brightspot for MCC.

"Freshman Journey Barajas continued her dominant year with another big singles win. It was a good test for us to play a top level NAIA opponent as we start our final stretch before we go to nationals," said Rast.

 

Doubles:

  1. Mikaela Correa / Jackelin Almada Lopez lost - 2-8

  2. Sienna Buttafuoco / Lynn Angulo lost - 8-2

  3. Taylor Wasson / Kirsten Nielson won - No opponent

Singles:

  1. Jackelin Almada Lopez lost - 1-6, 1-6

  2. Mikaela Correa lost - 1-6, 2-6

  3. Taylor Wasson lost - 3-6, 1-6

  4. Lynn Angulo lost - 1-6, 1-6

  5. Journey Barajas won - 6-1, 6-1

  6. Kirsten Nielson won - No opponent

Men:

Mesa fell to Ottawa, 8-1 as they were swept in doubles play but were able to pick up a win in singles action. With the loss MCC's overall record falls to 3-4 (3-2 ACCAC).
The Thunderbirds just weren't able to get it going on Saturday as in No. 1 doubles action Asad Okoye / Carson Abril fell, 1-8, No. 2 pair Taylor Miyantai / Nicolas Romero lost, 3-8, and No. 3 pair John Vigil / Enrique Uriquidi fell, 4-8.

In singles competition Carson Abril picked up the lone T-Bird victory in No. 3 competition as he won, 6-1, 6-0. In No. 1 action Asad Okoye performed well in his return but was unable to pick up the victory losing, 4-6, 2-6.

In No. 5 competition Nicolas Romero put in a solid effort but would eventually lose, 4-6, 4-6. Abril was the brightspot for the T-Birds on Saturday according to Rast, Romero though he was unable to pick up the win did show promise for Mesa.

"I was very impressed with freshman Nicolas Romero and Carson Abril as they both fought for every point and Nico almost got the win and Carson got a huge win," said Rast.

Doubles:

  1. Asad Okoye / Carson Abril lost - 1-8

  2. Taylor Miyatani / Nicolas Romero lost - 3-8

  3. John Vigil / Enrique Urquidi lost 4-8

Singles:

  1. Asad Okoye lost - 4-6, 2-6

  2. John Vigil - 0-6, 0-6

  3. Carson Abril - 6-1, 6-0

  4. Taylor Miyatani lost - 2-6, 2-6

  5. Nicolas Romero lost - 4-6, 4-6

  6. Enrique Urquidi lost 1-6, 0-6