The UNM men's tennis team showed it deserved its myriad awards by cruising past Air Force 4-0 in the first round of the Mountain West Conference Tournament on Thursday.
Lobo head coach Alan Dils was named MWC Coach of the Year on Wednesday while three singles players and two doubles teams were named all-conference.
A day later, the No. 2-seed Lobos swept No. 7 Air Force in Fort Worth, Texas, winning the doubles point and then easily won the first three singles matches to clinch the victory.
Dils said his team lived up to his expectations against the Falcons.
"The guys did a good job," he said. "They were very focused and prepared well. We're playing some of our best tennis right now."
The Lobos earned the doubles point Thursday after the No. 2 doubles team of Chris and Johnny Parkes and the No. 3 team of Graeme Kassautzki and Max Jones each swept their opponents 8-0.
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No. 1 singles player Jones earned a 6-0, 6-2 win in his match while No. 3 Kassautzki and No. 6 Kamil Pajkowski each won their sets 6-1, 6-1 to clinch Thursday's match.
UNM will move on to play San Diego State in the semifinals today after the Aztecs upset No. 3 Utah on Thursday.
The teams met April 6 with UNM winning 5-2 at the UNM Tennis Complex.
Dils said he's not surprised to see San Diego State in the semifinals.
"Not at all. They're good," he said. "I think they underachieved during the regular season. We're going to have to play well."
As far as the regular season accolades, Dils said he considers them a credit to the team's overall success.
In addition to Dils' coach of the year award, Jones, Johnny Parkes and Kassautzki were named to the All-MWC singles team.
The teams of Jones and Pajkowski as well as Chris and Johnny Parkes were named all-conference in doubles play.
Dils said he shouldn't get all the credit for the coaching award.
"It's an honor," he said. "My opinion is it's a team award, and it's for the team, and it's for the group of coaches. (Assistants) Loren Dils and Eduardo Provencio had just as much to do with it as I did. Even though my name is on the award, the whole team should get the credit."
Dils said the awards handed out to players shows that it was a total team effort this season.
He said it was nice to get the awards but added that they might put more pressure on the players. However, Dils said the team is ready to play with a target on its back.
Most importantly, he said he is concerned with today's match against the Aztecs.
"So far, I'm extremely proud of this team," he said. "I think they've been a true team in every aspect and hopefully we go out and show that (today)."
Men's tennis at MWC Tournament
No. 2 UNM vs. No. 6 San Diego State
Today, 10 a.m.
Fort Worth, Texas
