Montana State Drops Narrow Decision at Omaha, 4-3

Sunday, February 11

Omaha, NE

11:15 am MT

Montana State University

Omaha

Kanika Jayathilake

Photo by: Jack Power

2/12/2024 10:07:00 AM | Men's Tennis

Box Score

Bobcats fall on final singles match

By: MSU Sports Information

Omaha won the doubles point with a 15-13 tie-breaker then clinched the match with a three-set win at No. 4 singles to take a 4-3 victory over Montana State in Omaha on Sunday.

UNO's Mikel Garmendia and Ethan Gaubert out-lasted Dario and Ciobotaru and Kanika Jayathilake 7-6 (15-13) to take the match's first point after the team split matches at No. 1 and No. 2 doubles. Jacob Huppin and Andre Stewart took a 6-3 decision at No. 2 to set up the dramatic doubles finale.

In singles play, the Mavericks appeared on their way to an easy win by taking victories at the first and third ladder spots. Dario Ciobotaru (No. 1) and Rayen Hermassi (No. 3), a pair of freshmen, dropped their matches and Omaha took a 3-0 lead. But Kanika Jayathilake, also a freshman, persevered in a 6-4, 7-6 (7-4) triumph at No. 6, then grad student Andras Necz triumphed 6-3, 2-6, 6-2 at No. 2. Huppin, a senior, then posted a come-from-behind 2-6, 6-4, 6-3 win to pull the Bobcats even at 3-3. UNO's Quintan Van Wijk beat Bobcat freshman Rayen Hermassi 6-4, 6-3 in the clincher.

Montana State fell to 4-4 with the loss, and Omaha is now 7-4. After a break from competition this weekend, the Cats hit the road for their first Big Sky match of 2024 at Portland State on February 24.

Omaha 4, Montana State 3
02/11/2024 at Omaha, Nebraska -- Miracle Hill Tennis Center

DOUBLES DRAWS
1. Mikhail Korkunov and Bryan Kuntz (UNO) def. Rayen Hermassi and Andras Necz (MSU) 6-4
2. Jacob Huppin and Andre Stewart (MSU) def. Ryoma Mishiro and Quintan Van Wijk (UNO) 6-3
3. Mikel Garmendia and Ethan Gaubert (UNO) def. Dario Ciobotaru and Kanika Jayathilake (MSU) 7-6 [15-13]

SINGLES DRAWS
1. Ryoma Mishiro (UNO) def. Dario Ciobotaru (MSU) 6-2 6-0
2. Andras Necz (MSU) def. Mikhail Korkunov (UNO) 6-3 2-6 6-2
3. Quintan Van Wijk (UNO) def. Rayen Hermassi (MSU) 6-4 6-3
4. Bryan Kuntz (UNO) def. Andre Stewart (MSU) 4-6 7-5 6-2
5. Jacob Huppin (MSU) def. Ethan Gaubert (UNO) 2-6 6-4 6-3
6. Kanika Jayathilake (MSU) def. Mikel Garmendia (UNO) 6-4 7-6 (7-4)

MATCH NOTES
Records: MSU 4-4, Omaha 7-4
Order of finish: Singles -- 1 3 6 2 5 4 ; Doubles -- 1 2 3
Start Time: 1:00 PM, Duration: 3:25