Jake Richardson/Criterion

Just when you thought the Mesa State men’s tennis team was too much for any team to handle, the regional number one team, Western New Mexico University, came into Grand Junction and brought our regional number two Mavericks back to earth, winning 8-1. After a strong 14-3 record to start out the season, the Mavs could only win one match, and that was because Henning Thrien of Western New Mexico had to retire due to injury. The losses snapped the Mavs’ eight game doubles win streak and gave them their first loss of conference play.
The weekend wasn’t a complete disaster. The Mavericks came roaring back in the next day’s action against Metro State, sweeping them 9-0. Not only did Jordan Chomko and the top four singles win, they all swept their opposition with the singles players winning in two sets and the doubles winning in one.
Chomko, who is one of the team’s leaders and was recently an RMAC Player of the Week, improved to 13-8 on the season overall, 12-7 in duals. Andres Hernandez, who has also had a strong season for the Mavericks, improved to 13-6 on Saturday. The Jordan Chomko and Nick Provenza doubles team also added to a dominant season they’ve had all year long, improving to 17-5 overall. Provenza is also 14-8 on the season and is tied for the team lead in singles victories.
One reason for the team’s success is because the team’s exceptional play. In the last 10 matches, every player has a winning record and almost everybody is on a winning streak. The rest of the team has at least a .500 record In doubles, every pair has been cruising as of late, winning nine of their last ten matches combined.
With their last home match taking place this afternoon, the team will take a break until April 22 and 23 when they go to Albuquerque, N.M. for a dual with Colorado Christian University and the RMAC Championships. Sitting at a number two ranking in the tourney and a season that has been good to the Mavericks, expectations will be high.

ahimes@mesastate.edu