Texas Tech University Athletics
Texas Tech Athletics
San Diego
Red Raiders Overcome Tough Loss, Defeat San Diego
February 21, 2009 | Men's Tennis
Feb. 21, 2009
LUBBOCK, Texas - Following a tough, come-from-behind loss to Arizona the previous day, the Texas Tech men's tennis team rebounded Saturday to defeat the University of San Diego, 4-3, at the LaNelle Robson Tennis Center in Tempe, Ariz.
For the third-consecutive match, the Red Raiders claimed the doubles point, taking all three matches for the first time this season. Tech's nationally-ranked duo of Raony Carvalho and Christian Rojmar improved to 3-2 overall on the season, downing the Toreros' Dean Jackson and Chris Coetzee, 8-6 in the No. 1 doubles position.
In singles, Charl Wolmarans would tie the match for USD in the No. 3 position, dropping Gonzalo Escobar, 6-3, 6-0. Sinisa Markovic would move the Red Raiders back into the lead minutes later, however, defeating Coetzee in straight sets, 6-4, 6-0, at the No. 2 slot.
Carvalho would continue his hot streak in the No. 1 position, edging Jackson, 6-4, 7-6 (8-6), to move Tech a point from clinching the victory. Nicola Bubnic would keep the Toreros in the match, though, as he powered past Michael Breler in straight sets, 6-4, 7-6 (8-6), at the No. 4 slot.
Nils Schive would quickly tie the match at the No. 6 position, overcoming a dropped first set to down David Gonzalez, 4-6, 6-2, 6-3. Milos Kustudija would not let the Red Raiders fall for the second-consecutive day, however, as the senior defeated Tom Wolff in straight sets, 6-3, 6-3.
With the win, the Red Raiders inch closer to .500 as they are now 2-3 on the season. San Diego drops to 3-5 on the season and will conclude the weekend against host Arizona on Sunday.
"I thought we played really well in doubles, and I thought the key was that Raony played well," Tech head coach Tim Siegel said. "This was a good win, but from here out the teams only get better, so we will have to continue to improve. We have struggled at the No. 4, 5 and 6 positions in singles this season, so we will definitely have to improve there."
The Red Raiders will next host their home opener at the McLeod Tennis Center next weekend, facing TCU at 1 p.m. Feb. 28.
No. 26 Texas Tech - 3
No. 54 San Diego - 4
LaNelle Robson Tennis Center - Tempe, Ariz.
Singles - Order: 3, 2, 1, 4, 6, 5
1. No. 34 Raony Carvalho (TTU) def. Dean Jackson (USD) 6-4, 7-6 (8-6)
2. Sinisa Markovic (TTU) def. Chris Coetzee 6-4, 6-0
3. Charl Wolmarans (USD) def. Gonzalo Escobar (TTU) 6-3, 6-0
4. Nicola Bubnic (USD) def. Michael Breler (TTU) 6-4, 7-6 (8-6)
5. Milos Kustudija (TTU) def. Tom Wolff (USD) 6-3, 6-3
6. Nils Schive (USD) def. David Gonzalez (TTU) 4-6, 6-2, 6-3
Doubles - Order: 2, 1, 3
1. No. 16 Christian Rojmar/Raony Carvalho (TTU) def. No. 48 Jackson/Coetzee (USD) 8-6
2. Michael Breler/Sinisa Markovic (TTU) def. Schive/Bubnic (USD) 9-8 (7-5)
3. Escobar/Gonzalez (TTU) def. Wolmarans/Juan Devillier (USD) 8-2
Match Notes:
Texas Tech 1-3; National ranking No. 26
San Diego 3-5; National ranking No. 54
