The Omaha men's tennis team opened the dual meet portion of its schedule with a pair of 5-0 setbacks at 57th-ranked Arkansas on Monday afternoon in Fayetteville. UNO is now 0-2 (0-0 Summit League), while the Razorbacks improve to 4-1 (0-0 SEC).
“I am very pleased with how hard the guys competed,” said head coach Tyson Thomas. “After watching how our guys carried themselves and competed I'm even more excited about our outlook over the rest of the season.”
In the opening match, Arkansas took the doubles point, sweeping both matches. Giammarco Micolani and Jovan Parlic defeated Erik Anderson and Ignace Warson at number two doubles, 6-2 while Marko Minic and Lukas Vanzura fell to Jacob Herndon and Juan Marino, 6-0 at number three.
In singles play, Micolani earned a tight victory at number one singles over Colin Buckley, 6-2, 6-3. John Ellis lost to Johan den Toom, 6-0, 6-1 at number three. Marko Minic fell at No. 5, 6-0, 6-1 to Santiago Munoz while Lukas Vanzura lost 6-1, 6-1 at number six to Branch Terrell.
In the second match of the afternoon, the Razorbacks took the doubles point with a sweep of the two matches. Buckley and Nathan Greteman fell to Munoz and Terrell, 6-2 at number one doubles while Ellis and McManus lost to den Toom and William Albanese at number three doubles, 6-0.
Greteman played a close match with David Herrerias at number five singles, but lost a 6-3, 6-3 decision. Warson played a tight first set against Marino at number six, but fell in straight sets 6-4, 6-0. At number two singles, Anderson lost to Jovan Parlic, 6-1, 6-0. James McManus lost 6-0, 6-2 to Albanese at number four.
Thomas commented, “At the highest levels of competition, confidence becomes just as important as technique. Our matches against Arkansas showed us that we have room to improve in both areas but just as importantly revealed that we aren't too far off.”
Coach Thomas praised a few individuals' efforts on Monday. Thomas commented on the play of Buckley, who played a majority of the season at number four singles last season, and freshman Ignace Warson. Both players had their opponents on the ropes, before falling just short.
“There are certain steps we must take to achieve our goals,” said Thomas. “Being a young program and an even younger team the first step is getting our games to a certain level to compete. The next, and sometimes even more difficult step, is to get to that level and realize that you belong. I know we're on the cusp and through the season we'll have experiences where my guys will see this for themselves.”
Omaha will open the home portion of its 2015 schedule on Saturday, Jan. 24 as the Mavericks host Nebraska Wesleyan at 2 p.m. at Miracle Hills Tennis Center.
Arkansas 5, Omaha 0
Jan 19, 2015 | Fayetteville, Ark. | Billingsely Tennis Center
Singles competition
1. Giammarco Micolani (ARK) def. Colin Buckley (UNO-M) 6-2, 6-3
3. Johan den Toom (ARK) def. John Ellis (UNO-M) 6-0, 6-1
5. Santiago Munoz (ARK) def. Marko Minic (UNO-M) 6-0, 6-1
6. Branch Terrell (ARK) def. Lukas Vanzura (UNO-M) 6-1, 6-1
Doubles competition
2. Giammarco Micolani/Jovan Parlic (ARK) def. Erik Anderson/Ignace Warson (UNO-M) 6-2
3. Jacob Herndon/Juan Marino (ARK) def. Marko Minic/Lukas Vanzura (UNO-M) 6-0
Order of finish: Doubles (2,3); Singles (3,4,5,1,6,2)
Arkansas 5, Omaha 0
Singles competition
2. Jovan Parlic (ARK) def. Erik Anderson (UNO-M) 6-1, 6-0
4. William Albanese (ARK) def. James McManus (UNO-M) 6-0, 6-2
5. David Herrerias (ARK) def. Nathan Greteman (UNO-M) 6-3, 6-3
6. Juan Marino (ARK) def. Ignace Warson (UNO-M) 6-4, 6-0
Doubles competition
1. Santiago Munoz/Branch Terrell (ARK) def. Colin Buckley/Nathan Greteman (UNO-M) 6-2
3. Johan den Toom/William Albanese (ARK) def. John Ellis/James McManus (UNO-M) 6-0
Order of finish: Doubles (3,1); Singles (4,6,2,5)
