Colorado University Athletics
MEN?S TENNIS TOP PIONEERS 6-1 FOR SECOND WIN
BOULDER ? The University of Colorado men’s tennis team returned to the winner’s circle and improved to 2-1 on the young season in defeating the University of Denver, 6-1, Friday evening at the Meadow Creek and Fitness Club in Lakewood.
The Buffaloes, ranked No. 74 nationally by the Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) took care of business during the first hour of play achieving and sweeping the doubles point for 1-0 advantage. Marcos Digliodo and Chad Tsuda, ranked No. 33rd nationally by the ITA won their first match together this spring taking an 8-5 win at No. 1 doubles. The Buffs clinched the doubles point taking the No. 2 and No. 3 slots as Marko Bundalo and Peter Bjork cruised to an 8-3 win at No. 2; while Marek Dvorak and Jan Zelezny teamed up to a 9-7 winner at No. 3.
With a 1-0 lead heading to singles, Denver (2-1) evened the score a 1-1 as Adam Holmstrom defeated Bundalo, 6-4, 6-4 at No. 1 singles. CU quickly regained the lead winning the next five singles points for its 6-1 victory as Zelezny won his second match of the spring taking a tough three-set winner over Victor Zetterholm, 5-7, 6-2, 6-4 at No. 2; and Digliodo defeated Niklas Persson 7-5, 6-7, 10-4 at No. 3 in the evening’s last match; while singles positions No. 4 through No. 6 won in straight sets.
“Tonight was a great team performance against a good Denver team,” said CU Head coach Sam Winterbotham. “I thought Peter (Bjork) and Marcos (Digliodo) were outstanding in both singles and doubles. We have been working very hard on being a close team, supporting each other though thick and thin, and it showed. All 11 guys were focused and cheered each other on to victory and it made a huge difference.”
At No. 4 singles, Bjork won his 20th match of his career taking a 6-1, 6-1 winner; Dvorak won his 11th match of the year and 30th for his career with a 6-4, 7-5 decision at No. 5; and at No. 6, Tsuda won his second match of the spring in as many matches and his 33rd of his career reaching the winners’ circle with a 7-5, 6-4 win.
Up next for CU is the NCAA defending national champion and No. 1 ranked Baylor (1-0), Sunday, Jan. 30th at the Harvest House, Millennium Hotel. Match begins at 10 a.m.
“We will enjoy this victory now, but tomorrow we have to get ready for the #1 team in the country,” added Winterbotham. “What a great opportunity for our guys.”
No. 74 Colorado 6, Denver 1
Meadow Creek, Lakewood, Colo.
Colorado (2-1), Denver (2-1)
Doubles
1) (No. 33) Digliodo/Tsuda (CU) def. Holmstrom/Persson 8-5
2) Bundalo/Bjork (CU) def. Zetterholm/Rosen 8-3
3) Dvorak/Zelezny (CU) def. Tan/Flaks 9-7
Singles
1) Adam Holmstrom (DU) def. Marko Bundalo 6-4, 6-4
2) Jan Zelezny (CU) def. Victor Zetterholm 5-7, 6-2, 6-4
3) Marcos Digliodo (CU) def. Niklas Persson 7-5, 6-7, super breaker 10-4
4) Peter Bjork (CU) def. Kalle Rosen 6-1, 6-1
5) Marek Dvorak (CU) def. Jason Tan 6-4, 7-5
6) Chad Tsuda (CU) def. Steve Flaks 7-5, 6-4
Order of finish 1,4,6,5,2,3