'Dogs rally to defeat Lobos 4-3

ALBUQUERQUE – The Fresno State men' tennis team defeated New Mexico 4-3 Friday evening in its Mountain West opener.

The Bulldogs improve to 10-10 (1-0 MW) on the season.

"This was a huge win for our program," head coach Luke Shields said. "We've had so many tight matches that haven't gone our way. All the adversity we have faced this season has made us tougher and hungrier. There were things that didn't go our way today but we stayed tough and had a great mindset from start to finish."

Fresno State has had 11 matches this season decided by one point.

Lobos grab the doubles point

New Mexico recorded wins at the No.1 and No. 2 doubles position to earn a 1-0 lead going into singles.

'Dogs rally back in singles

The Lobos went up 2-0 when Euan McIntosh fell to Bart Van Leijsen at the No. 2 position 6-4, 7-6(4).

New Mexico extended its lead to 3-0 when Lawerence Perrin defeated Youssef Hassan at the No. 5 position in three sets 6-1, 4-6, 6-2.

Fresno State rallied back to win the last four points of the match.

Zdenek Derkas defeated his opponent at the No. 3 position 6-2, 7-6(5) to give the Bulldogs their first point of the match.

Fresno State grabbed its second point of the match when Mantas Bugailiskis bested his opponent at the No. 6 position in three sets 6-7(4), 6-3, 6-1.

The match was tied 3-3 when Xander Veys defeated his opponent at the No. 1 position in three sets 5-7, 6-4, 6-4.

Henrique Osorio clinched the match at the No. 4 position when he bested his opponent 5-7, 7-5, 7-6(2).

"I'm really proud of our two freshman that stepped up and fought to win today," said Shields. "We found a way to grit it out against a solid team and earn our first conference win."

What's Next: Fresno State returns home to host a double-header Sunday, April 2 starting with Air Force at 10 a.m. PT followed by Cerritos College at 2 p.m. PT, in the Wathen G. Spalding Tennis Center.

RESULTS:

Fresno State 4, New Mexico 3

Singles

Xander Veys (FS) def. Ricky Hernandez-Tong (NM) 5-7, 6-4, 6-4
Bart Van Leijsen (NM) def. Euan McIntosh (FS) 6-4, 7-6(4)
Zdenek Derkas (FS) def. Dominic West (NM) 6-2, 7-6(5)
Henrique Osorio (FS) def. Rodolfo Jauregni (NM) 5-7, 7-5, 7-6(2)
Lawrence Perrin (NM) def. Youssef Hassan (FS) 6-1, 4-6, 6-2
Mantas Bugailiskis (FS) def. Jorge Escutia (NM) 6-7(4), 6-3, 6-1

Doubles

Hernandez-Tong/Perrin (NM) def. Pech/McIntosh (FS) 6-4
Van Leijsen/West (NM) def. Veys/Bugailiskis (FS) 6-3
Hassan/Derkas (FS) vs. Jauregni/Baklini (NM) unfinished

"Just the Ticket to Build Our Community" - The Bulldog Scholarship Fund gives Bulldog alumni, fans and friends the opportunity to support Fresno State Athletics and the student-athletes who inspire them. For information about how you can support the Bulldog Scholarship Fund, please visit www.bulldogscholarshipfund.com or call 559-278-7160.

'Dogs rally to defeat Lobos 4-3

Next Event

Players Mentioned

Mantas Bugailiskis

Zdenek Derkas

Youssef Hassan

Euan McIntosh

Xander Veys

Fresno State Athletics

'Dogs rally to defeat Lobos 4-3

Related News

Next Event

Players Mentioned

Mantas Bugailiskis

Zdenek Derkas

Youssef Hassan

Euan McIntosh

Xander Veys

Related Videos