FRESNO, Calif. – The University of Hawai'i lost its second consecutive Western Athletic Conference match with a 4-2 setback to New Mexico State at the Wathen Tennis Center on the campus of Fresno State. UH dropped to 5-11 overall and 1-3 in the WAC.
The loss was UH's first against a non-ranked opponent this year as all previous 10 losses were against squads ranked in the top 75. Playing on the same court in which they captured they their third straight WAC Tournament title in 2010, the Rainbow Warriors couldn't capture that same magic and played the match without their No. 2 player
Leo Rosenberg, who was sidelined. New Mexico State (10-6, 1-1 WAC) meanwhile picked up its first conference win and ninth victory in its last 11 matches.
In singles, Lajola was impressive at the No. 1 court, easily dispatching of No. 64 Surreaux 6-1, 6-2. It was the senior's third win over a nationally ranked opponent this year. UH however could not get over the hump in the rest of the singles matches. Tweedt and
Danilo Casanova each lost in tight, three-set matches, while
Jared Spiker also fell victim in a competitive match at the No. 6 spot.
The Rainbow Warriors, who have been on the road for more than 10 days, look to bounce back tomorrow when they take on Nevada at 12:00 p.m. PT (9:00 a.m. HT). The Rainbow Warriors will then conclude its regular-season schedule with a match against No. 52 Boise State on Sunday.
New Mexico State def. Hawai'i, 4-2
Doubles (UH wins point)
1. Lajola/Brooklyn def. Brouleau/Stakne 8-6
3. Tweedt/Kovalyov def. Surreaux/Westgate 8-1
Singles
1. Lajola (UH) def. No. 64 Surreaux (NMSU) 6-1, 6-2
2. Brouleau def. Tweedt (UH) 2-6, 6-4, 6-4
3. Superlano def. Brooklyn 6-3, 7-5
4. Kovalyov vs. Stakne, did not finish
5. Ramirez def. Casanova 6-4, 3-6, 6-4
6. Felipe Frattini def. Spiker 6-4, 7-6 (3)
-UH-
