Men look for game, set, match vs. visiting LMU

Dual match will prepare Bulldogs for tough schedule

By Kim Anderson
The Collegian

The No. 45 ranked Fresno State men’s tennis team is looking to extend its 2007 dual match season record when it faces Loyola Marymount Friday.

A 5-2 victory over the Cal Poly Mustangs Sunday started off the 2007 season with a win under their belt.

Loyola Marymount will visit the Wathen Tennis Center Friday afternoon and give the young Bulldogs preparation for their busy February schedule and a chance for the six newcomers to gain experience.

“We are looking forward to a new battle,” head coach Jay Udwadia said. “This will be good experience for the new guys.”

An addition to the schedule from last year, Loyola Marymount will be a good practice for the Bulldogs who have competed very well against them in the past, Udwadia said.

“We are looking at individual performances,” Udwadia said. “So we can focus on the development of each player.”

Senior Jakub Cech, ranked No. 26 nationally and freshman Mirko Zapletal are two players to watch for in doubles and singles.

The duo defeated the Mustangs 9-7 in doubles and Zapletal had a 6-1, 6-1 victory over Cal Poly’s No. 3 Darryn Young, Sunday.

“Mirko has very good form,” Udwadia said. “I see a lot of good things out of him.”

The February schedule includes matches against Oklahoma State, Pepperdine and USC.

USC defeated Loyola Marymount 7-0 Saturday, a loss with little impact on Fresno State’s preparation this weekend.

“We always review results of our competition,” Udwadia said. “It wears some bearing but we treat every match the same.”

Everyone stays focused and takes it one game at a time, Udwadia said.

“It’s a blue-collar type of team work,” Udwadia said. “We work for everything we have which can only help our mental game and our confidence.”

After Friday’s match, the Bulldogs will be back in action at 10 a.m. on Sunday when they host Nebraska.

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