Djordje Uskokovic and Ben Pettinari won their number one doubles matchup with New Mexicos Brent Salazar and Ryan Gers 9-8 (7-5), but it was the only win of the day, as Illinois State was routed by New Mexico 7-0 today in Albuquerque.
In other doubles action, Bart Scott and Jasmin Hodzic defeated Illinois States Jason Smit and Andy Martin 8-4 in the number two doubles pairing, and Divan Coetzee and David Kowalski of New Mexico outlasted Ciaran Foley and Marek Blaskovic 8-4.
The singles competitors for the Redbirds did not fair any better. New Mexicos Scott beat Uskokovic in a hard fought match in the number position 7-6, 6-4. In the number two position, Coetzee beat Illinois States Smit in a rout 6-1, 6-1. Kowalski beat Blaskovic in the number three position 6-3, 7-5.
The four through six positions which are usually strong for the Birds also struggled today. Salazar defeated Illinois States Ben Pettinari 6-2, 6-1 in the four position. Jasmin Hodzic escaped with a win in the fifth position over Redbird Cappuccitti 7-6, 6-7, 6-4 (6-3). In the sixth position New Mexicos Gers beat Foley 6-2, 6-1.
Coach Greg Kennett made not excuses for his teams performance today.
I refuse to blame the long trip or anything else on how we played tonight, said Kennett. We had plenty of time to prepare, but we just didnt come to play today.
The Birds look to bounce back tomorrow afternoon against Texas Tech. Match time is slated to start at 1:00 p.m. at the Lobo Tennis Center in Albuquerque, NM.
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