Fresno State Athletics
Fresno State
Middle Tennessee State
`Dogs Cruise Against Blue Raiders
3/1/2009 12:00:00 AM | Men's Tennis
March 1, 2009
FRESNO, Calif. - A rejuvenated Fresno State men's tennis team prevailed against the 66th-ranked Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders on Saturday in the Bulldogs' 4-1 victory at the Spalding G. Wathen Tennis Center.
Despite the 4-1 score, there were few blowouts and the Bulldogs had to remain on top of their game to pick up the win.
Fresno State started the match by winning the doubles point. Bulldogs Rikus de Villiers and Remi Boutillier knocked off Robert McKenzie and Victor Melo, 8-5. Minutes later Taylor Leiby and Tejesvi Veerepali wrapped up the doubles point by defeating Kyle Wishing and Alex McCann, 8-2.
Mirko Zapletal kept the momentum rolling into singles with a 6-3, 6-1 victory over Victor Melo to give Fresno State a 2-0 lead.
"I'm playing with a lot of confidence now and I've been playing really well," Zapletal said. "I feel good about my game."
Flavio Mollinedo made his first appearance of the spring season in the singles lineup with a 6-2, 6-2 win over Morgan Richard.
"I've been practicing a lot and trying improve myself," Mollinedo said. "I was satisfied with how I played and I was happy I was able to give us a team point."
Freshman Remi Boutillier clinched the match for the Bulldogs with a 6-4, 6-3 win over Alex McCann.
After the team outcome was no longer in doubt, the remaining two matches were called off in case of potential rain storms.
With the win over a solid Blue Raider squad the team's spirits were high.
"I think this year especially we have a strong team," Mollinedo said. "I don't think we've ever been this close, we're like a family. I think we're going to achieve great results."
The Bulldogs will travel to Las Vegas, Nev. to face Pepperdine on March 6 and UNLV on March 7. Fresno State returns to the Wathen Tennis Center on March 17 to take on Indiana.
NCAA MEN'S TENNIS
March 1, 2009 - Fresno, Calif.
No. 42 Fresno State def. No. 66 Middle Tennessee State 4-1
Doubles (Fresno State wins the doubles point)
1. No. 47 Zapletal/Siwy (FS) vs. Peers/Richard (MTSU) 6-5 DNF
2. De Villiers/Boutillier (FS) def. McKenzie/Melo (MTSU) 8-5
3. Veerepali/Leiby (FS) def. Wishing/McCann (MTSU) 8-2
Order of Completion: 3, 2
Singles
1. No. 33 Rudolf Siwy (FS) vs. No. 111 Robert McKenzie (MTSU) 6-4, 5-6 DNF
2. Mirko Zapletal (FS) def. Victor Melo (MTSU) 6-3, 6-1
3. No. 72 John Peers (MTSU) def. No. 112 Rikus de Villiers (FS) 7-5, 6-4
4. Remi Boutillier (FS) def. Alex McCann (MTSU) 6-4, 6-3
5. Siddharth Alapati (FS) vs. Kyle Wishing (MTSU) 6-3, 5-5 DNF
6. Flavio Mollinedo (FS) def. Morgan Richard (MTSU) 6-2, 6-2
Order of Completion: 2, 6, 3, 4*
"Join the State - Fresno State" -- The Bulldogs return home on March 17 to take on Big 10 foe Indiana at 3 p.m. at the Spalding G. Wathen Tennis Center. Follow the 'Dogs throughout the season on www.gobulldogs.com.
Players Mentioned
