Cech loses, but 'Dogs down Cal Poly

By Jennifer Vermilyea
The Collegian

The season opener started slowly but ended on a high as the Fresno State men’s tennis team defeated Cal Poly 5-2 in Sunday’s dual match-up.

Jakub Cech and Mirko Zapletal paired up in doubles against Cal Poly’s Matt Baca and Kyle Roybal. The ‘Dogs trailed the entire set until 8-7, when Cech hit a cross-court shot and the Mustangs could only watch as it landed in giving the match to the Bulldogs.

The win was redemption for Cech and Zapletal who had lost to Baca and Roybal at the Regional Quarterfinals last October.

Senior Charles Irie and sophomore Greg Jackson also won their doubles match to clinch the doubles point as the ‘Dogs went into the singles.

Irie also played singles and defeated Rob Roy 6-1, 6-4.

“My forehand was working very well for me today,” Irie said. “I felt really good.”

Fresno State head coach Jay Udwadia added, “Charlie did great for us today.”

Bulldogs freshman Mirko Zapletal broke Darryn Young’s serve early and steamrolled to a straight set victory 6-1, 6-1.

Bulldogs freshman Taylor Leiby, who competed in his first collegiate dual match, defeated Russell Meyerowitz 6-3, 6-4.

“I felt really good,” Leiby said. “But I was very nervous.”

Udwadia was also impressed by the freshman’s performance.

“Taylor did good. He established himself today and ran with it,” Udwadia said.

Rudolf Siwy clinched the singles point for Fresno State by beating Kyle Roybal in a third set tiebreaker 10-6.

Cech, who is ranked No. 26 in the nation, came out strong in doubles but wasn’t able to continue that streak into his singles match. The Mustangs’ Baca beat Cech 6-1, 6-4.

“I wasn’t good mentally today,” Cech said. “I am a better player than I showed out here on the court.”

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