Men’s Tennis Battles Back to Top Texas-Pan American, 4-3
LAS CRUCES, N.M. – After dropping the doubles point,
Northern Arizona rallied to win four singles matches, including a
match-clinching third set tiebreak win for Junior David Flodberg,
to defeat Texas-Pan American, 4-3, in Las Cruces. NAU won its
fifth-consecutive match to improve to 7-2 for the season while the
Broncos dropped to 0-6. The match was the first of four over the
weekend for NAU in Las Cruces.
Northern Arizona picked up a doubles win from Flodberg and freshman
Patrick Schimmelbauer at No. 3, 9-7, but triumphs for Texas-Pan
American at No. 1 and 2 gave the Broncos the early lead.
In singles play, the Lumberjacks got their first win in a 6-3, 6-3
victory for sophomore Robin Pezzutto at No. 4. Freshman Hugo
Ramadier battled for a 6-7, 6-2, 6-2 win at No. 3, recording his
fifth-straight singles win, while freshman Kevin Taylor picked up a
6-4, 7-6 (5) win at No. 6. Victories for Texas-Pan American at No.
1 and 2 left the match up to the No. 5 spot, where Flodberg faced
Bronco junior Marcus Dornauf. After Flodberg won the first set,
7-5, Dornauf responded with a 6-3 second-set triumph. Tied 6-6, the
third and deciding set went to a tiebreak, which Flodberg won 7-5
to claim the win and clinch the team victory for NAU.
“This was a huge win for us, battling back for the
victory,” assistant coach Rich Paulosky said. “Despite
being winless, Texas-Pan American has played a lot of close matches
against highly ranked teams. It was important for us to begin this
weekend with an exciting win today.”
The Lumberjacks continue play in Las Cruces Friday morning, facing
Texas-Arlington at 9 a.m.
