WICHITA FALLS, Texas – Both the MSU Denver men's and women's tennis teams played multiple close matches with Midwestern State (Texas) on Thursday, but ultimately had to settle for defeats of 5-2 and 6-1, respectively.
Both Midwestern State teams are ranked No. 15 in NCAA Division II.
"We learned some valuable lessons today," Metropolitan State University of Denver coach
Josh Graetz said. "Our women simply need to be more consistent within the point. The men let another match slip today. I know both teams are excited to get back on court tomorrow."
On the men's side,
Alejandro Martinez-Morilla posted a 7-5, 6-4 win over Alberto Diaz at No. 3 singles, while
David Kijak defeated Abhi Venkatachalam, 6-3, 6-2 at No. 6.
At No. 1,
Daniel Llorente fell to fifth-ranked Angel Palacios 6-4, 6-2 and 43
rd-ranked Alex Martinez Roca beat MSU Denver's
Mateo Besada 6-4, 6-4 at No. 2.
In another quality match, MSU Denver's
Jordi Ribera lost in a super set at No. 5, falling to Brice Bradshaw 6-3, 3-6, 1-0 (13-11).
On the women's side,
Brooklyn Ross defeated Lea Cizeron 4-6, 6-4, 6-3 at No. 1 singles to the Roadrunners' only victory.
However,
Tabitha Porter pushed No. 43 Casie Curry to three sets before falling 6-4, 2-6, 6-4 at No. 2 singles, and
Helena Steenberg was within striking distance before losing to Ashley Ramirez 7-5, 6-3 at No. 3.
Both teams have duals Friday against Cameron (Okla.) at 8 a.m. MST and against Southwest Baptist (Mo.) at 2 p.m. MST. The Cameron men are tied for 20
th in the national rankings. Southwest Baptist's men are tied for 13
th nationally, while its women are tied for 20
th.
Thursday's results.
MEN
No. 15 Midwestern State (Texas) 5, MSU Denver 2
Doubles
No. 1 –Angel Palacio/Ben Westwick (MST) def.
Daniel Llorente/
Mateo Besada, 7-6 (7-5)
No. 2 – Alex Martinez Roca/Alexandre Crepy (MST) def.
Jack McDermott/Brad McDermott, 6-2
No. 3 – Brice Bradshaw/Alberto Diaz (MST) def.
David Kijak/
Alejandro Martinez-Morilla, 7-6
Singles
No. 1 – No. 5 Angel Palacios (MST) def.
Daniel Llorente, 6-4, 6-2
No. 2 – No. 43 Alex Martinez Roca (MST) def.
Mateo Besada, 6-4, 6-4
No. 3 –
Alejandro Martinez-Morilla (MSUD) def. Alberto Diaz, 7-5, 6-4
No. 4 – Alexandre Crepy (MST) def.
Jack McDermott, 6-1, 6-4
No. 5 – Brice Bradshaw (MST) def.
Jordi Ribera, 6-3, 3-6, 1-0 (13-11)
No. 6 –
David Kijak (MSUD) def. Abhi Venkatachalam, 6-3, 6-2
Order of finish: Doubles (2, 1, 3). Singles (4, 1, 2, 3, 6, 5)
WOMEN
No. 15 Midwestern State (Texas) 6, MSU Denver 1
Doubles
No. 1 – Ashley Ramirez/Taylor Gray (MST) def.
Helena Steenberg/
Tabitha Porter, 6-3
No. 2 – Lea Cizeron/Casie Curry (MST) def.
Brooklyn Ross/
Mackenzie Hotan, 6-2
No. 3 – Juliette Mary/Emilija Visic (MST) def.
Gala Castello/
Kayla Myburgh, 6-3
Singles
No. 1 –
Brooklyn Ross (MSUD) def. Lea Cizeron, 4-6, 6-4, 6-3
No. 2 – No. 43 Casie Curry (MST) def.
Tabitha Porter, 6-4, 2-6, 6-4
No. 3 – Ashley Ramirez (MST) def.
Helena Steenberg, 7-5, 6-3
No. 4 – Emilija Visic (MST) def.
Gala Castello, 6-1, 6-2
No. 5 – Juliette Mary (MST) def.
Kayla Myburgh, 7-5, 6-1
No. 6 – Emilija Segetlija (MST) def.
Ainsley Winterrowd, 6-4, 6-2
Order of finish: Doubles (1, 2, 3). Singles (3, 4, 1, 2, 5, 6)
