Feb. 28, 2004

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. - The University of Denver men's tennis team stopped a five-match losing streak with a 5-2 win over Lamar this morning in Little Rock, Ark. The Pioneers won four singles matches and captured the doubles point in the much-needed win. Denver improves to 5-6 overall with the win. The Pioneers played with its top player, Nejc Smole (Ljubljana, Slovenia), who missed the match with a stomach flu.

"I am happy that we were able to get this win," head coach Geoff Young said. "The guys really picked up their play without Nejc in the lineup. Urban Ljubic is also starting to improve his play as he gets in better tennis shape."

Hans Peter Gaber (Anger, Austria), Viktor Zetterholm (Stockholm, Sweden), Urban Ljubic (Ljubljana, Slovenia) and Niko Popovic (Ljubljana, Slovenia) all won their singles matches. Gaber played No. 1 singles in place of Smole and responded with a 6-3, 6-4 win over Lamar's Ignacio Melus to lead the way.

Ljubic and Zetterholm won at No. 2 doubles and Jason Tan (Amsterdam, Netherlands) and Steve Flaks (Colorado Springs, Colo.) won at No. 3 doubles to secure the important team point.

The 75th-ranked Pioneers return to action on March 5 against Boston College. Match time is scheduled for 4 p.m. MT

#75 Denver 5, Lamar 2

Singles

1) Hans Peter Gaber (DU) def.

Ignacio Melus (Lamar), 6-3, 6-4

2) Viktor Zetterholm (DU) def.

Emilio Kirby (Lamar) 6-1, 6-2

3) Urban Ljubic (DU) def.

Juan Pablo Alatorre (Lamar) 6-3, 6-4

4) Javier Easton (Lamar) def.

Jason Tan (DU) 4-6, 6-2 (10-4)

5) Popovic, Niko (DU) def.

Naeem Kath (Lamar) 3-6, 6-3, 7-5

6) Jonathan Capps (Lamar) def.

Steve Flaks (DU) 6-7, 7-5, 11-9

Doubles

1) Melus/Dean Clower (Lamar) def.

Gaber / Popovic (DU) 8-6

2) Ljubic / Zetterholm (DU) def.

Capps/ Kath (Lamar) 8-5

3) Jason Tan / Steve Flaks (DU) def.

Kirby/Alatorre (Lamar) 8-5