The UNM men's tennis team will be looking to extract some revenge Friday afternoon when it plays against 60th-ranked Yale University at the Lobo Tennis Club.
The Lobos (2-1) lost a heart-breaking, controversial 4-3 decision to Yale last year in a match that came down to a thrilling singles match to decide the winner.
"They beat us last year at their place in an extremely tight match," head coach Alan Dils said. "I think our guys remember that. I hope they do, and we're ready to take some revenge out on them here."
With the score tied at three games apiece, senior John Kowalski lost the match 7-5. Several of the points won by were disputed by Kowalski and the Lobos, but to no avail.
The loss still dangles in the minds of some of the Lobo players. UNM will try to make sure that the match doesn't come down to the judges this time.
"I expect to beat them at home and nothing less," junior Bart Scott said. "We had a battle with them last year and it came down to the last match with Johnny Kowalski, and it ended up going their way. This time it's got to go our way."
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Scott said the match will probably come down to who wins the doubles point.
Dils said that the match is going to be highly competitive and the team will have to step up its play.
"You can't have one or two guys have an off day competitive wise," Dils said. "Some guys may be a bit off tennis wise but if they compete hard, they're gonna give themselves an opportunity to win."
A key factor in the Lobos success this year has been the outstanding play of freshman David Kowalski.
"I'm gonna go out there and play my game," Kowalski said. "With a match like this with such a big rivalry you can't lose your head. You can't get too mad at your opponent. You got to stay cool, and use his emotions to play to your advantage throughout the match."
The matches begin at 6 p.m.
