KEARNEY, Neb. – The Montana State Billings men's tennis team fought valiantly in a 5-3 loss in the opening round of the 2011 NCAA Division II Men's Tennis Tournament at University of Nebraska-Kearney. The Jackets end the season with a 10-10 record overall, while UNK advances to the Round of 16 at the Sanlando Tennis Complex in Altamonte Springs, Florida, May 11-14. This was the third meeting of the season between the two teams as they split the first two meetings.
“We lost what we knew would be hard-fought match to UNK on its home court with No. 6 singles still playing when the match was clinched,” first-year MSUB head coach Lew Kosich said. “It's a tough pill to swallow, but we have to remember that we had a history-making season with our first-ever appearance in the NCAA Tournament. I am extremely proud of these young men and the progress they have made this season. We'll be back and even stronger next year.”
On a rainy day in Kearney, UNK took the lead early with a win at No. 2 doubles as John Steinke and Kyle Conzemius defeated senior Delbert Landicho and freshman Brad Knutson 8-4. The Jackets then tied the match as freshman Thomas Staffileno and junior Alonso Leon won at No. 3 doubles over Rodrigo Duncan and Josh Smith, 8-4.
The decisive doubles point came at No. 1 as Josh Raymond and Yeswanth Nadella defeated Yellowjacket duo of sophomore Navin Marimuthu and freshman Kavindu Gamage, 8-4.
The Yellowjackets, just one of four first time selections into the 48-team NCAA Tournament field, battled back as they took the lead in singles as Marimuthu and Leon both won in straight sets. Marimuthu defeated Raymond at No. 1 6-4, 6-4, while Leon downed Nadella, 6-1, 6-4, at No. 2 for a 3-2 lead.
The 'Lopers tied the match as Conzemius won at No. 5 over Knutson in straight sets, 6-4, 7-6. UNK then took the lead for good as Steinke defeated Landicho, 7-6, 6-4 at No. 4, while Duncan clinched the match at No. 3 with a 7-6, 6-1 win over Gamage. UNK used three, 7-6 tiebreaker set wins to help clinch the match.
Smith and Staffileno split the first two sets at No. 6 as Smith won 6-1 in the first, while Staffileno battled back for a 7-6 win in set two. Smith held a 5-3 lead when the match was clinched in the third set.
Despite the loss, the Yellowjackets showed this season they could compete with the best teams in the region and the country. Since March, the Yellowjackets closed the season 8-5 after winning just two of their first seven.
With a strong group returning next season, including two all-conference singles players in Marimuthu and Leon, as well as an all-conference doubles team, the Jackets look poised to continue their ascent regionally and nationally.
Nebraska-Kearney 5, Montana State Billings 3
May 2,, 2011 ** Kearney, Neb. (Harmon Park) ** NCAA Tournament – Central Regional
Order of Finish (first to last): 2, 3, 1
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Singles competition
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1. Marimuthu def. Raymond 6-4, 6-4
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2. Leon (MSUB) def. Nadella 6-1, 6-4
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3. Duncan (UNK) def. Gamage 7-6, 6-1
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4. Steinke (UNK) def. Landicho 7-6, 6-4
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5. Conzemius (UNK) def. Knutson 6-4, 7-6
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6. Smith (UNK) vs. Staffileno DNF (Smith up 6-1, 6-7, 5-3)
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Order of Finish (first to last): 2, 1, 5, 4, 3
Season Records: UNK 19-7; MSUB 10-10; winner advances to Sweet 16 in Florida
