Colorado University Athletics
No. 34 Oklahoma State Edges CU, 4-3
April 20, 2003
BOULDER - For the seventh time this season the Colorado men's tennis team dropped another 4-3 decision, this time to No. 34 Oklahoma State, Sunday afternoon at the Kittredge Tennis Courts in a Big 12 Conference finale for both schools.
The Buffaloes fall to 6-15 overall and 1-6 in conference play, while the Cowboys improve to 13-3 and 5-2 in the Big 12.
The Buffs, no stranger to one point margins, lost their third straight match (Rice and Oklahoma) and second in as many days. On Saturday, CU lost a close 4-3 decision to No. 75 Oklahoma.
CU started the day in fine fashion securing the doubles point and 1-0 lead by sweeping all three matches. Justin Hunter and Chad Tsuda won their 10th spring match at No. 1 doubles by an 8-6 margin; Bucky Mink and Maciej Dilaj followed with an 8-4 win at No. 2,;and Marko Bundalo and Jon Magnes teamed for an 8-5 decision and their seventh win in eight attempts at No. 3. With a 1-0 advantage, CU was able to earn points at No. 2 and No. 3, however were outdone at the No. 1 and No. 4 singles slots in three sets, while at No. 5 and No. 6, CU fell victim to a pair of straight-set defeats.
Hunter was victorious at No. 2 with a come-from-behind 5-7, 6-2, 6-0 winner over Yevgen Bondarchuk; and Bundalo was also impressive with his own rally to win in three sets, 6-7(2), 6-4, 6-3 over Boris Kuharic.
"I have to give OSU a lot credit, they came out in singles and played very well," said CU head coach Sam Winterbotham. "The took five first sets and that swings the advantage back to them. They're a good team.
"I thought Justin Hunter was fantastic and he played how we have been wanting him to play and he's been doing that all season, but today he played very well. Maciej (Dilaj) also played well. (OSU's) Mark Van Elden is a very good player and they played a close match. I'm pleased with Marko Bundalo in how he's been handling himself and his maturity throughout the season. He continues to win big matches for us and I'm proud of the way he recovered from a rough tie-breaker and shows what character he has."
Up next for CU is the Big 12 Tournament in Kansas City, April 24-27. At press time, CU's opponent is yet to be determined, but coach Winterbotham is very optimistic what lies ahead for his team.
"I think all the guys will come out on fire and anything can happen."
Oklahoma State 4, Colorado 3
1D) Hunter/Tsuda (CU) def. Van Elden/Jizek 8-6; 2D) Mink/Dilaj (CU) def. Bohunicky/Spousta 8-4; 3D) Bundalo/Magnes (CU) def. Kuharic/Diaz 8-5.
1S) #96 Mark Van Elden (OSU) def. Maciej Dilaj 7-6(4), 4-6, 6-3; 2S) Justin Hunter (CU) def. Yevgen Bondarchuk 5-7, 6-2, 6-0; 3S) Marko Bundalo (CU) def. Boris Kuharic 6-7(2), 6-4, 6-3; 4S) Jiri Jizek (OSU) def. Bucky Mink 6-3, 6-7(2), 6-3; 5S) Tomas Bohunicky (OSU) def. Chad Tsuda 6-3, 6-3; 6S) Jiri Spousta (OSU) def. Jon Magnes 6-4, 7-5.