UTA Tops Islanders in Dallas

ARLINGTON, Texas  -- UT Arlington handed the Texas A&M-Corpus Christi men's tennis team a 4-0 loss Thursday as the Mavericks improved to 5-1 on the season.
 
In a match much closer than the score would suggest, Kevin Bettendroffer led by a set and was up a break in the second when play was called. Carlos Pedrosa Cuevas was on serve in his third set and Paul Cook was on serve in the second set as well.
 
"The guys battled very hard today," said Director of Tennis Steve Moore. "This is one of the best teams UT Arlington has ever had in my opinion. They have very mature seniors who are playing very well for them. We've got a young team but we're getting better every week. We're really improving and heading in a great direction.
 
"They say you're either winning or you're learning and in the big scheme of our season, this match was good for us. I really believe in these guys and I'm very excited about what this season holds for this team."
 
With three freshman in the lineup, the Islanders were unable to find the recipe to upend the veteran Mavericks.
 
UT Arlington opened the match by taking the doubles point with wins at two and three. The pairing of Cagatay Soke and Paul Cook fell by a 6-2 score at number two to Mario Muniesa and Marcos Sanz. Guanarteme Nuez and Daniel Armengol sealed the doubles point for the Mavericks with a 6-3 win over Mitchell Cook and Maximilian Ilic.
 
In singles action, the Mavericks used wins at courts three, four and six to sweep the match. Marcos Sanz knocked off freshman Gonzalo Achondo 6-1, 6-3 for the second point of the match.
 
Fellow freshman Cagatay Soke and William Mottet also found tough results Thursday as Soke fell 6-3, 6-2 and Mottet dropped at four 6-4, 6-1.
 
The Islanders are now 4-2 on the season and return to action next Thursday against Wichita State in Austin, Texas.