LINCOLN, Neb. – Senior Colin Buckley's split-set win gave the Omaha men's tennis team their first-ever victory over Nebraska Saturday afternoon at the Dillon Tennis Center, 4-3. The Mavericks improve to 1-1 (0-0 Summit League), while the Cornhuskers are 0-1 (0-0 Big Ten).
Omaha and Nebraska battled in a three-hour contest that included a tiebreaker and four three-set matches in singles. In doubles, UNO's tandem of Buckley and freshman Razvan Grigorescu rolled to a 6-1 win at No. 1. Sophomore Alex Woodward and freshman Louis-Jonas Heizlsperger clinched the point with a win at No. 3 over Rok Krizaj and Tomislav Antoljak, 6-3. Freshman Nathan Reekie and sophomore Matt Dunn completed UNO's sweep of the double action with a 6-4 win at No. 2.
"The guys started off great in doubles," said head coach Tyson Thomas. "I'm pleased to see those teams taking shape so early in the season."
The drama started in singles play. Nebraska took a 2-1 lead as Dunn and Woodward dropped their singles matches by identical 6-3, 6-3 scores at No. 2 and No. 5 respectively. The Huskers took a 3-1 advantage with a split-set decision at No. 3 as Antoljak beat Reekie 4-6, 6-4, 6-2.
The Mavericks got their first singles win at No. 6 when Heizlsperger battled back for a 3-6, 6-3, 6-1 win over Krizaj. UNO tied the match at 3-all with a triumph at No. 1. Grigorescu took the first set against Toby Boyer, 6-3, but dropped the second set, 6-4. Grigorescu then stormed back to win the third set, 6-1.
The match was decided in a tremendous battle at No. 4, where Nebraska's David Samardzija captured the opening set, 6-3, and Buckley took the second set in a tiebreaker, 7-6 (7-4). Buckley found himself down a break at 5-4 in the third set before rattling off three straight games to win the match, 7-5, and securing the team victory.
"Closing out the match by winning three of the four singles matches showed a lot of grit," said Thomas. "Reminiscent of last year, Colin battled through a tight third set and clinched the match. The team has put in a lot of work, and it showed in the results today.
Thomas also praised the efforts of Grigorescu and Heizlsperger in winning their matches in three sets.
Omaha returns to action next weekend, welcoming Northern Illinois on Saturday, Jan. 28 at noon and North Dakota on Sunday, Jan. 29 at 10 a.m. Miracle Hill Golf and Tennis Center will host both matches.
Omaha 4, Nebraska 3
January 21, 2017 at Lincoln, NE (Sid and Hazel Dillon Tennis Center)
Singles Results
1.
Razvan Grigorescu (Omaha) def. Toby Boyer (NEB 12.91) 6-3, 4-6, 6-1
2. Dylan Bednarczyk (NEB 12.30) def.
Matt Dunn (Omaha) 6-3, 6-3
3. Tomislav Antoljak (NEB 12.49) def.
Nathan Reekie (Omaha) 4-6, 6-4, 6-2
4.
Colin Buckley (Omaha) def. David Samardzija (NEB 11.94) 3-6, 7-6(4), 7-5
5. Micah Klousia (NEB 12.10) def.
Alex Woodward (Omaha) 6-3, 6-3
6.
Louis-Jonas Heizlsperger (Omaha) def. Rok Krizaj (NEB 12.26) 3-6, 6-3, 6-1
Match Notes:
Omaha 1-1
Nebraska 0-1
Order of finish; Doubles (1,3,2); Singles (2,5,3,6,1,4)
T-3:05 A-55
