Fresno State Athletics
Fresno State
Cal Poly
Bulldogs Solid In Season Opening Win Over Cal Poly
1/21/2007 12:00:00 AM | Men's Tennis
Jan. 21, 2007
FRESNO, Calif. - The Fresno State men's tennis team opened the 2007 dual match season with a solid 5-2 victory over the visiting Cal Poly Mustangs, Sunday at the Wathen Tennis Center. Senior Jakub Cech and freshman Mirko Zapletal saved three match points at No. 1 doubles, eventually clinching the doubles point to give Fresno State the momentum heading into singles play.
"I think we started doubles a little nervous, but then we finished well," said head coach Jay Udwadia. "It was good to see Cech and Zapletal get the win and avenge their loss from the regional."
Cech and Zapletal lost to Cal Poly's Baca and Roybal in the quarterfinals of the Northwest Regional in October. The Bulldogs duo even trailed 7-5 today before rallying to win four straight games. Cech had an awesome return on match point to capture a 9-7 win.
"It felt awesome to win that doubles match," said Zapletal. "Give Cal Poly credit, they played really well together. But Jakub and I really started to serve well and we never gave up."
Zapletal was first to finish in singles with a dominating 6-1, 6-1 victory over Darryn Young at the No. 3 spot. Senior Charles Irie followed with a straight set win over Rob Foy and freshman Taylor Leiby beat Russell Meyerowitz to clinch the match for Fresno State.
"I was definitely nervous to start the match," said Leiby, playing in his first dual match as a Bulldog. "But once I got to the break I settled down and played with a lot of confidence."
Sophomore Greg Jackson, also playing in his first dual match at Fresno State, won 8-3 at No. 3 doubles with Irie. He said: "I wasn't too sure how my return would be, but after a few games we started to feel pretty confident. It was good to win quickly and support our teammates on the other two courts."
Fresno State improved 1-0 on the year, while Cal Poly fell to 0-2. The Bulldogs are back in action this Friday when they host Loyola Marymount at 2:30 p.m.
NCAA Men's Tennis
Fresno, Calif.
Wathen Tennis Center
No. 45 Fresno State def. Cal Poly, 5-2
Doubles (Fresno State wins doubles point)
1) Cech/Zapletal (FS) def. Baca/Roybal (CP), 9-7
2) Foy/Young (CP) def. Siwy/Veerepalli (FS), 9-8 (5)
3) Irie/Jackson (FS) def. Berger/Meyerowitz (CP), 8-3
Order of Completion: 3, 2, 1
Singles
1) Matt Baca (CP) def. No. 26 Jakub Cech (FS), 6-1, 6-4
2) Rudolf Siwy (FS) def. Kyle Roybal (CP), 4-6, 6-0, (10-6)
3) Mirko Zapletal (FS) def. Darryn Young (CP), 6-1, 6-1
4) Charles Irie (FS) def. Rob Foy (CP), 6-1, 6-4
5) Fred DeWitte (CP) def. Tejesvi Veerepalli (FS), 2-6, 6-1, 7-6 (5)
6) Taylor Leiby (FS) def. Russell Meyerowitz (CP), 6-3, 6-2
Order of Completion: 3, 4, 6, 2, 1, 5
Records: Fresno State (1-0); Cal Poly (0-2)
Players Mentioned
