The abbreviated 2020 spring season saw the Denver Pioneers men's tennis team open the year on a nine-match winning streak and continue its success to finish with a 12-1 record and .923 winning percentage, its best mark since head coach Ricardo Rubio joined the program five years ago. Denver rose to 35^th in the nation on Feb. 18 and settled at 45^th when the last rankings were published. The Pioneers were cruising fast toward the postseason when faced with an unexpected finish to their season on March 13. 
 
Nine straight wins to start the year laid the foundation for a season where Denver swept six opponents, topped Utah on Feb. 13 and went 10-1 at the Denver Tennis Park. Even the Pioneers' loss was defining. Denver's lone defeat came at the hands of No. 23 Iowa on Feb. 23, a 4-3 loss where a tiebreaker at #1 doubles could have flipped the outcome. The Crimson & Gold responded to win their next match. Senior Pedro Fernandez del Valle was the hero against BYU, coming from behind to win 4-6, 6-3, 7-6 (8-6) at #5 and clinch the match.
 
"Our team this year was playing for each other, everyone bought in to compete for the team first," Rubio said. "We had a great start with a lot of tough matches coming up and we had a lot of momentum. The four seniors were unselfish, and they were doing everything they could to help the team.  We never spoke about winning or losing, just to execute what our identity was in every practice and match situation."
 
Juniors Matt Summers and James Davis were the headliners throughout the year. The duo ranked as high as 21^st in the nation with a 7-5 mark at #1 doubles. In singles play, Davis was a perfect 12-0 and 10-0 at #3 while Summers was 10-2 and 7-2 at #1. The depth was on display as well. Mattia Ros went 8-4, playing primarily at #2, and Ignatius Castelino and Daniel Krulig were each 7-2. Every member of the Pioneers logged wins on the year with the team combining for a 56-14 singles record and 22-11 doubles record. No singles player finished with a losing record and only one doubles tandem was below .500.
 
"It is a shame the season ended early because this was a special group of people," Rubio said. "When you look around, see the news and hear stories of what is happening locally and around the world, this is a moment to care for one another, listen to the authorities and be positive for what we have. We will be back next year, and we will instill the same mindset"
 
2020 DENVER ATHLETIC HALL OF FAME RECEPTION: Denver announced its 2020 Athletic Hall of Fame class in January. The inductees will be honored on the DU campus May 16. For more information, registration for the reception and donation information, click here. 
 
SHOP PIONEERS: Get dressed for Game Day! Get your Pioneers gear at ShopPioneers.com, the official online store of University of Denver Athletics.

DONATE: Fans interested in making a donation to the men's tennis program can do so by clicking here. Your contribution will make a direct impact on the success of YOUR Pioneers. Thank you in advance for your unwavering support of our student-athletes and their quest for excellence.   
 
-OUR JOURNEY, OUR TIME- 
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