Warren's streak leads men's tennis in Boise
10/11/2011 12:00:00 AM | Men's Tennis
Oct. 11, 2011
Andrew Warren lost his first match at the Boise State Fall Classic in Boise, Idaho, last weekend, but the junior didn't lose another set on his way to the consolation championship of the Blue draw.
"Andrew played some really great tennis," head coach Kris Nord said. "I was really glad to see that, he is an important part of the puzzle for us."
The tournament was the last of three straight weekends of tennis leading up to the ITA Mountain Regional in Las Vegas the 19th-22nd.
Five of the six Grizzlies in the Orange draw won their first-round bouts, but only freshman Andreas Luczak advanced to the semifinals before being defeated by eventual champion Jorge Suarez from Idaho State in three sets.
In doubles action all five doubles teams competing for Montana won their first-round matches but were ousted in the semifinals.
Nord noted the record isn't indicative of the improvement he has seen.
"Everyone is playing a little better doubles," Nord said. "They had some tough matches in the second round, but everyone is taking steps in the right direction."
The improvement of the teams in the field was evident, but Nord was impressed with one team in particular.
"It was the first time we have seen Idaho State, and we saw how improved they are," Nord said "We play them twice in the spring, which should really motivate our guys to get better."
The team now has just over a week to prepare for a trip to Las Vegas and the ITA Mountain Regional.
Although team leaders senior Carl Kuschke and sophomore Mikolaj Caruk have struggled thus far this season, Nord knows he will get the best from them in Vegas.
"Hopefully Miko and Carl will have a lot better time in Vegas," he said. "They have had some tough draws and some other issues, but they are improving every week."
The Griz will leave Monday for what Nord called the longest and toughest trip of the season.
