MEN NETTERS EDGED BY VIRGINIA TECH, 5-2 - University of Colorado Athletics

BLACKSBURG, Va. ? The University of Colorado men’s tennis team pushed Virginia Tech to the limit, however, fell in the later stages Wednesday afternoon, falling to the Hokies, 5-2 at the Burrows/Burleson Tennis Center on the Virginia Tech campus.

CU’s record drops to 5-11, while No. 54 ranked Virginia Tech improves to 10-8.

Despite dropping the opening three doubles matches, Colorado narrowly had two of the three matches swing their way. Both No. 1 and No. 3 for CU were by the slimmest of margins, 9-8 setbacks.

In singles, CU evened the team score at one when Chad Tsuda took a 6-3, 6-1 winner at No. 5. The home team would later go up 2-1 taking the No. 6 slot, however, the Buffs stormed back to even the team score at No. 1 singles. Marko Bundalo upset the Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) No. 57^th ranked player, Andreas Laulund in straight sets (7-6, 6-2).

"Marko is good enough to play with anyone in the country," said CU head coach Sam Winterbotham. "Chad keeps working and is a great role model to the team. He did a great job today and played very well. Overall, we're just a young team asking them to win against very good teams."

The Hokies subsequently clinched the match taking the No. 3 and No. 4 slots, both in three sets. Virginia Tech would later add the fifth point taking another singles match in three sets at No. 2.

CU returns home to play its third straight non-conference match hosting in-state rival Denver, Tuesday, March 30 at the CU-Boulder South Campus Tennis Courts at 2:30 p.m.

No. 54 Virginia Tech 5, Colorado 2

Virginia Tech (10-8), Colorado (5-11)

Singles

1. Marko Bundalo (CU) def. No. 57 Andreas Laulund 7-6, 6-2

2. Arvid Puranen (VT) def. Peter Bjork 6-1, 6-7, 10-4

3. Soren Spanner (VT) def. Marcos Digliodo 6-4, 3-6, 6-1*

4. Stephane Rod (VT) def. Marek Dvorak 6-2, 1-6, 6-4

5. Chad Tsuda (CU) def. Angel Diankov 6-3, 6-1

6. Adel Abbas (VT) def. Justin Rofel 6-0, 6-4

Doubles

1. Rod/Spanner (VT) def. Bundalo/Digliodo 9-8*

2. Laulund/Puranen (VT) def. Dvorak/Tsuda 8-2