No. 8 Texas Tech Men's Tennis Sweeps New Mexico State in NCAA First Round

The No. 8 Texas Tech men’s tennis team began its 2016 NCAA postseason with a convincing 4-0 victory over New Mexico State during Saturday’s NCAA Tournament First Round at the McLeod Tennis Center.

The Red Raiders (28-5) have won all three of their NCAA Tournament home matches and played host to the program’s first NCAA match since 2005. The Aggies (12-10) were appearing in their second straight NCAA Tournament.

“We played very disciplined and smart tennis today,” Texas Tech head coach Brett Masi said. “The guys played their games and asserted themselves early. We did a great job of forcing the issue and making them play up to our level.”

Texas Tech started the match quickly courtesy of strong doubles play and claimed the 1-0 advantage for the fifth time in its last seven matches dating back to the Tulsa match on April 8. Connor Curry and Felipe Soares rolled to a 6-1 triumph over Stijn de Haan and Christofer Goncalves on court two.

Minutes later, Alex Sendegeya and Bjorn Thomson dismissed Liam Goldberg and Strahinja Trecakov by a 6-2 margin at the No. 1 spot. Sendegeya and Thomson finished with a flurry and reeled off the last four games to secure the doubles point. Sendegeya claimed a forehand volley winner for a key service break at 3-2, while Thomson held his service game at deuce to put the duo up 4-2.

When play was halted, Tech’s Carlos DiLaura and Hugo Dojas were locked in a tight 3-4 battle with Enrique Asmar and Mauri Benitez at the No. 3 position.

No. 19 Soares stretched the Tech lead to 2-0 with an efficient 6-2, 6-1 victory over Trecakov on the No. 1 singles line. Then, Thomson tucked away his team-leading 21st singles victory on the season and powered his way to a 6-0, 6-2 win against Asmar on court six.

Jolan Cailleau closed out the sweep Tech’s seventh sweep of the season and first since the Princeton match on March 18 in San Diego and defeated Haan by a 6-3, 6-2 margin at the No. 4 spot. The victory enabled the Red Raiders to improve to 14-0 at home on the season.

No. 98 Dojas was close to closing out his match with a 6-3, 5-3 advantage over Goncalves at the No. 2 position, whereas Curry led Benitez by a 6-4, 2-1 margin on court five when play was halted. Sendegeya and Goldberg were knotted in a 7-5, 2-3 matchup at the No. 3 spot.

The winner of Sunday’s Texas Tech–SMU matchup will earn a bid to the NCAA Round of 16 set for Friday, May 20 in Tulsa. Fans can purchase tickets on-site to Sunday’s match at the McLeod Tennis Center Ticket Trailer for $5 (adults) and $3 (youth — 12 and under).

“SMU is a really good team,” Masi said. “They beat a Top 15 team in Oklahoma State already this season, so we know we’ve got our work cut out for us. Our guys know that and will be ready to go. I feel comfortable with where we’re at, but we’ll have to come out tomorrow and play our game.”

Visit www.TexasTech.com for the latest news and information on the Texas Tech men’s tennis program. Fans can also follow the program on its social media outlets at www.facebook.com/Techmenstennis and @TexasTechTennis on Twitter.

No. 8 Texas Tech 4, New Mexico State 0

05/14/2016 – Lubbock, Texas (McLeod Tennis Center)

2016 NCAA Tennis Lubbock Regional – First Round

Doubles

1. Alex Sendegeya/Bjorn Thomson (TTU) defeats Liam Goldberg/Strahinja Trecakov (NMSU): 6-2

2. Connor Curry/Felipe Soares (TTU) defeats Stijn de Haan/Christofer Goncalves (NMSU): 6-1

3. Carlos DiLaura/Hugo Dojas (TTU) vs. Enrique Asmar/Mauri Benitez (NMSU): 3-4, unfinished

Singles

1. No. 19 Felipe Soares (TTU) defeats Strahinja Trecakov (NMSU): 6-2, 6-1

2. No. 98 Hugo Dojas (TTU) vs. Christofer Goncalves (NMSU): 6-3, 5-3, unfinished

3. Alex Sendegeya (TTU) vs. Liam Goldberg (NMSU): 7-5, 2-3, unfinished

4. Jolan Cailleau (TTU) defeats Stijn de Haan (NMSU): 6-3, 6-2