Feb. 5, 2006

DENVER - The University of Denver men's tennis team recovered from a 4-3 loss to Utah Friday to post a 6-1 win over No. 71 Montana State Saturday evening at Meadow Creek Tennis Club. The Pioneers improve to 1-1 on the season, while Montana State falls to 2-3.

"The team came out very energized and played hard," said head coach Geoff Young. "A win over a ranked team is a great way to start the season and I am excited for what's to come for us."

The Pioneers captured the doubles point with wins at the No. 2 and 3 positions. The veteran team of Nejc Smole (Ljubljana, Slovenia) and Steve Flaks (Colorado Springs, Colo.) defeated Federico Ueltschi and Jakob Dybala 9-8(4), while Viktor Zetterholm (Nacka, Sweden) and Kalle Rosen (Helsingborg, Sweden) got their first win of the season against Tejeshwara Chigateri and Jake Berriochoa by the score of 8-4.

In singles, Denver was victorious in five of the six positions. No. 28 Adam Holmstrom (Eskilstuna, Sweden) defeated Ueltschi 6-3, 3-6, 6-3 at No 1 singles. Sophomore Niklas Persson (Stockholm, Sweden), Denver's other ranked player at No. 92 in the nation, picked up a win against Marek Gebicki 6-4, 7-6(6). At the No. 3 position, Smole ousted Kyle McDonald 6-4, 6-4.

In other results, Zetterholm defeated Chigateri 6-3, 7-6(2), Flaks won 6-2, 6-1 against Berriochoa and Aljosa Nipic (Ljubljana, Slovenia) fell 4-6, 6-1, 7-6(9) to Dybala.

The Pioneers return to the court Feb. 10 against No. 14 Washington in Seattle.

Denver 6, #71 Montana State 1
2/4/2006 at Denver, Colo.

Singles competition
1. #28 Adam Holmstrom (DEN-M) def. Federico Ueltschi (MONTST) 6-3, 3-6, 6-3
2. #92 Niklas Persson (DEN-M) def. Marek Gebicki (MONTST) 6-4, 7-6 (6-0)
3. Nejc Smole (DEN-M) def. Kyle McDonald (MONTST) 6-4, 6-4
4. Viktor Zetterholm (DEN-M) def. Tejeshwara Chigateri (MONTST) 6-3, 7-6 (2-0)
5. Steve Flaks (DEN-M) def. Jake Berriochoa (MONTST) 6-2, 6-1
6. Jakob Dybala (MONTST) def. Aljosa Nipic (DEN-M) 6-4, 1-6, 7-6 (9-0)

Doubles competition
1. Kyle McDonald/Marek Gebicki (MONTST) def. Adam Holmstrom/Niklas Persson (DEN-M) 9-8 (4-0)
2. Nejc Smole/Steve Flaks (DEN-M) def. Federico Ueltschi/Jakob Dybala (MONTST) 9-8 (4-0)
3. Viktor Zetterholm/Kalle Rosen (DEN-M) def. Tejeshwara Chigateri/Jake Berriochoa (MONTST) 8-4

Match Notes
Montana State 2-3; National ranking #71
Denver 1-1
Order of finish: Doubles (13,2); Singles (5,3,1,4,2,6)
Official: Doug Kester T-3:30