Men's Tennis Triumphs Over New Mexico, 5-2 - University of Colorado Athletics

BOULDER - For the first time this season, the University of Colorado men’s tennis team played their first outdoor match at home in the dual season and upset No. 54 New Mexico, 5-2, Saturday afternoon at the South Campus Tennis Courts. The Buffaloes have won two of their last three matches and improve to 6-6 this season, while Lobos fall to 4-4.

It’s the second time this season the Buffs have defeated the Lobos. CU won 4-1 on Jan. 22 at the ITA Mountain Region Indoors in Boise. CU claimed singles victories at the No. 3, No. 4, No. 5, and No. 6 slots, in addition to claiming the doubles point taking two of three slots for the 5-2 win.

Peter Bjork, Marcos Digliodo and Chad Tsuda each won their matches in straight sets, while Marek Dvorak notched the other singles point winning in three.

Bjork claimed his sixth match victory of the dual season and 10^th of the year taking a 7-6(4), 6-2 winner at No. 3; Digliodo broke a three-match losing streak at No. 5 singles (6-2, 6-3) to win his fifth match of the spring (15^th overall); and Tsuda remained impressive at the No. 6 slot for his third straight victory (6-1, 6-1) and his 12^th match win. It was also Tsuda’s seventh triumph of the spring.

Dvorak reached the winners’ circle for the sixth time this dual season taking a three-set winner at No. 4 (6-2, 4-6, 6-2). His win tied Digliodo for the most victories on the team with 15 for the 2004-05 season.

CU added its first team point on the day securing the doubles portion winning the No. 2 and No. 3 slots. Bjork and Marko Bundalo evened their spring record at five taking an 8-6 winner at No. 2; and Dvorak and Jan Zelezny won their fourth consecutive match at No. 3, 8-3. It was also their sixth win in seven outings.

“I’m proud of our guys and that’s another ranked win,” said head coach Sam Winterbotham of CU’s third victory this season over a nationally ranked opponent. “The guys are starting to see it and their effort is paying off.

“Marko Bundalo served big (in doubles today) and they went for their shots and that’s all we can ask them to do. Their starting to understand the momentum and what pressure that puts on your opponent instead of soaking up all that pressure yourself by not going for it. The biggest thing that came out of today as a team, we finished strong and that’s a credit to confidence and to their hard work.”

Colorado hosts No. 14 and Big 12 Conference foe Oklahoma State this Tuesday, March 22 at the South Boulder Tennis Courts at 1 p.m. In case of inclement weather, the Buffaloes/Cowboys match will be moved to the Harvest House Millennium Hotel Bubble later that day for a 6:30 p.m. start.

No. 63 Colorado 5, No. 54 New Mexico 2

CU (6-6), New Mexico (4-4)

March 19, South Campus Tennis Courts

Doubles

1) (4) Stotland/ Kowalski (UNM) def. Digliodo/Tsuda 8-2

2) Bundalo/Bjork (CU) def. Jones/Pajkowski 8-6

3) Dvorak/Zelezny (CU) def. Conklin/Boland 8-3

Singles

1) Max Jones (UNM) def. Marko Bundalo 7-5, 6-4

2) Ryan Stotland (UNM) def. Jan Zelezny 6-3, 6-2

3) Peter Bjork (CU) def. David Kowalski 7-6(4), 6-2

4) Marek Dvorak (CU) def. Kamil Pajkowski 6-2, 4-6, 6-2