SMU Tennis Loses To No. 32 Columbia

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DALLAS (SMU) – The SMU Mustangs fought hard against No. 32 Columbia, but ultimately lost to the Lions 5-2 at the Samuell Grand Tennis Center.

Arturs Kazijevs defeated No. 34 Winston Lin in straight sets (6-3, 6-4) to continue his strong play and improve his record to 6-4 this season. Kazijevs has been the Mustangs’ No. 1 singles player all spring.

SMU gave the Lions all they could handle throughout the match. The Mustangs earned two match points in matches they would eventually drop. Nate Lammons nearly won his sixth straight match, gaining a match point in the third set against Nathaniel Gery. Gery would bounce back and take the match, 6-3, 4-6, 7-6 (6). Kazijevs and his doubles partner Mischa Nowicki (who are ranked 78th in the nation) got to match point against 24th-ranked Ashok Narayana and Max Schnur, but lost 9-8 (7).

Nowicki did win his singles match against Bert Vancura, 7-6, 6-3. Gaston Cuadranti and Alex Sanders improved to 3-2 in doubles play with an 8-1 win over Lin and Cyril Bucher.

The Mustangs’ next match is March 29 at 12 p.m. when they host Marquette at the Samuell Grand Tennis Center.