Men's tennis gets sweep to start the spring season

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Results

GREELEY, Colo. – The Northern Colorado men's tennis team got its season started on a high note, sweeping Mesa State 7-0 on Saturday afternoon at Work Out West.

"The guys battled today, stuck to their individual game plans and were able to adjust when necessary to beat a team that we lost to last year," said Head Coach Tim Bearman. "We had four new starters this year so to have the new guys step up in their first match was a great way to start the season."

The Bears got things started by winning two of the three doubles matches for the first point. The number one team of Robbie Edwards and Alexander Moncada fell 8-2 and Travis Day and Brandon Lupo won 8-1 at number three, putting the pressure on the number two team.

The freshmen pair of Brandon Moya and Jeff Carlson were down a break and were pressing a bit, but managed to fight back for the 8-5 victory and give the team the early 1-0 lead.

"The guys have been practicing hard and pushing themselves daily," Bearman said.  "For us to continue winning we not only need to execute, we need to practice and play with the same focus and intensity that we had today."

Day showed that intensity early, winning 6-0, 6-1 at number six singles over Isaac Brown to keep the momentum rolling from doubles play. Lupo, Moncado, Moya and Carlson also won in straight sets, while Edwards dropped the first set but then fought back to win the next two to give the Bears the sweep.

Lupo, a sophomore from Broomfield, Colo., played number one and defeated Jaco Gerbrands 7-5, 6-2, while Moncado won 6-4, 6-4 over Andres Hernandez at number three singles. After the long doubles match, Moya was able to win 6-4, 6-1 over Alex Barrios at number four and Carlson defeated Joseph Aragon 6-2, 6-3 at number five.

Edwards lost the first set 6-3 to Brason Hollabaugh, but got a couple of breaks in the next two sets to win 6-3, 6-2 and win his first match of the season.

"Robbie Edwards battled back after dropping the first set and showed the determination and fight that the team needs from him," said Bearman. "I also thought Brandon Lupo had a great singles match playing at number one and taking care of a nice player in straight sets."

The team doesn't get much rest before diving into Big Sky Conference action as the Bears host Montana State on Sunday at Work Out West. First serve is scheduled for 9:00 am.

"Tomorrow will be a challenge with a very good Montana State team so we need to get ready for our first conference match."