GRAND FORKS, N.D. -- The University of North Dakota men's tennis team dropped a 4-3 decision to Montana State on Friday evening from Choice Health and Fitness in Grand Forks, N.D. to open a two-match weekend.
UND (5-4) couldn't hold off a late charge by the Bobcats (9-3) and drop to 2-1 this season on its home court.
"Great battle tonight," said UND head coach
Tom Boysen. "We put ourselves in position to win the match in the last 30 minutes, but we couldn't quite close it out. Montana State is a very good team coming off a big win last weekend, so we knew this would be a challenge for our team."
In doubles action, the Fighting Hawks jumped out to a 1-0 lead thanks to victories on the top pair of courts.
Cian McDonnell and
Edmond Aynedjian started it off with a 6-4 victory at the middle spot before the visitors responded with a win at the No. 3 position to turn all eyes towards the top court. There,
Nikita Snezhko and
Gerhard Sullwald battled to a 7-6 triumph to seal the point in two-man play and the early lead.
"I thought our doubles was terrific at all three spots," said Boysen. "I know that we have players with good skill sets for doubles, and tonight was an example of how good we can be when we play with the right intentions and purpose."
Montana State leveled the score at 1-1, but North Dakota jumped right back in front on the No. 3 court when McDonnell carried over his strong doubles play into singles action by a 6-1, 6-2 score to give the hosts a 2-1 advantage.
The Bobcats didn't quit, however, answering back with two straight singles wins on the No. 6 and 4 courts to take a 3-2 lead with just two matches remaining. At the top spot, Sullwald rolled to a 6-1 win in the opening set before holding on for a 7-6 victory in the second to knot the match at 3-3. In a thrilling, three-set contest, Montana State was able to claim the match with the triumph at the No. 5 spot.
"In singles, Cian and Gerry played fearless, offensive tennis, stressed Boysen. "We had a few spots in the lineup tonight, though, where we didn't do enough to stop the bleeding when adversity came along. We need to be better at this."
North Dakota opens conference play on Sunday at home starting at 10 a.m. against Omaha.
"We are very excited to open our conference season at home on Sunday against Omaha," said Boysen.