Men’s Tennis to Face No. 59 New Mexico St., Three Others in Las Cruces
FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. – A match with No. 59 New Mexico State
highlights a challenging stretch for Northern Arizona of four
matches in as many days Thursday-Sunday in Las Cruces, N.M. The
Lumberjacks have won their last four matches and are 6-2 on the
year, though they are just 1-2 in matches at lower elevation. This
weekend will be a great test for NAU away from high altitude,
opening with Texas-Pan American on Thursday followed by a date with
Texas-Arlington on Friday, the home standing Aggies on Saturday,
and concluding with Idaho on Sunday, with all matches to be played
at the NMSU Tennis Center.
“We’re going to have to play well, one through six, in
all of the matches,” director of tennis Kim Bruno said.
“I’m very excited to see how we compete on that surface
and at lower altitude. We will need to make the adjustment to
playing outdoors as well. This will be a good test for
us.”
Northern Arizona Quick Hits
The Lumberjacks dominated Division-II Grand Canyon, 7-0, in
Flagstaff in their only match last week…NAU has played on
three-consecutive days (in Las Vegas, Jan. 29-31) and on
two-consecutive days (at Force and Northern Colorado, Feb. 13-14)
earlier this season…Freshman Hugo Ramadier is a team-best
7-1 in singles this season at No. 3 and 4 and is tied with Eastern
Washington’s Fernando Mussolini for the most wins in the Big
Sky…Junior David Flodberg also has only one loss this season
(5-1), joining Ramadier as two of four Big Sky players with just
one loss for the season (min. four matches)…Sophomore Andrew
Reiff has the best record at No. 1 singles (5-2) in the Big Sky
(min. four matches)…Reiff and sophomore Robin Pezzutto are
7-1 at No. 1 and 3 doubles, easily the best doubles mark in the
conference (min. four matches)…Montana is the only other Big
Sky team with a winning overall record (2-1)…Montana is also
the only other undefeated Big Sky team in conference, though they
have only played one Big Sky match (1-0).
Scouting Texas-Pan American
The Broncos, who play in the Southland Conference, are 0-5 for the
season, having last competed individually in the ITF Futures
Tournament last week. Texas-Pan American does not have its first
home match of the season until March 29, but so far has not left
the state of Texas in five road matches. The Broncos will face
Western New Mexico and New Mexico State in addition to NAU while in
Las Cruces.
Junior Aswin Vijayaragavan, the 2009 Southland Player of the Year,
is 3-2 playing exclusively at No. 1 singles for UTPA and is the
only Bronco with a winning singles record for the season. Northern
Arizona has never played Texas-Pan American in men’s tennis,
as the Broncos are the only first-time opponent on the NAU schedule
this season.
Scouting Texas-Arlington
Also from the Southland Conference, the Mavericks are 1-4 on the
year, with their lone win coming at home in a 7-0 victory over
Division-II Cameron University. Texas-Arlington has only played one
road match so far this season, a 7-0 loss last week at Baylor.
Senior Dmitry Minkin and Sophomore Mindaugas Celedinas hold down
the No. 1 and 2 singles spots, respectively, for UTA.
The Mavericks also play New Mexico State and Western New Mexico
while in Las Cruces. Northern Arizona is 0-2 all-time against
Texas-Arlington, including a 5-2 loss to the Mavericks last season
in Sacramento.
Scouting New Mexico State
The Aggies upset then-No. 57 New Mexico, 4-3, last Sunday for their
first win over their in-state rivals in 10 years, elevating New
Mexico State from No. 72 to No. 59 in this week’s ITA
national rankings. The win improved the Aggies’ season record
to 4-2, though the match was the first at home for NMSU this
season. The Aggies will face WAC conference mate Idaho on Friday,
NAU and Texas Pan American on Saturday, and Texas-Arlington on
Sunday in hosting the busy weekend of tennis.
Junior Jim Brouleau leads New Mexico State at No. 1 singles.
Northern Arizona is just 4-19 all-time against the Aggies,
including 7-0 shutouts during the last-two seasons. The teams have
met every year since 2001, with the last NAU win coming in a 4-3
triumph in 2005.
Scouting Idaho
NAU ends a quartet of matches on Sunday against Idaho, which enters
the week with the best record amongst the teams competing in Las
Cruces at 9-4. The Vandals have defeated two Big Sky teams,
Northern Colorado and Eastern Washington, already this season and
also have a 4-3 win over then-No. 74 UNLV. Junior Lachlan Reed has
won his last-three matches in leading Idaho at No. 1 singles.
The Lumberjacks are in impressive 11-4 all-time against WAC member
Idaho. The Vandals won the last meeting between the schools,
however, 5-2 in 2008.
