PROVO -- In a solid performance by every player, the BYU men's tennis team defeated Utah State 7-0 in a non-conference dual match Friday at the BYU indoor tennis courts.
Sophomore Gert Vilms led the Cougars with a 6-4, 6-1 win in number one singles over Andy Madersbacher. He also teamed with freshman Carlos Lozano to win the number one doubles 8-3 over Madersbacher and Clayton Thomas.
"I think we had some of the vibe coming from Las Vegas," BYU head coach Jim Osborne said in reference to the BYU men's basketball team's semifinal win over Utah in the Mountain West Conference tournament Friday. "We were playing without Damien (Ward) and Nic (Losee) and it was important for our guys to step up and play well."
The Cougars improved their record to 9-2 overall. They will put their record on the line as they prepare for a road trip that will see them face four teams ranked in the top 40. BYU will face No. 34 California (Mar. 21), No. 1-ranked Stanford (Mar. 22), No. 36 Washington (Mar. 23) and No. 19 Fresno State (Mar. 25).
"This will be a huge trip for us," Osborne said. "We need to play well. We're ready to start the second half of the season."
Singles:1. Vilms (BYU) def. Madersbacher, 6-4, 6-1
2. Lozano (BYU) def. Thomas, 6-3, 6-0
3. White (BYU) def. West, 7-6, 6-3
4. Rudjuk (BYU) def. Burrell, 6-3, 6-2
5. Olsen (BYU) def. Burbidge, 6-3, 6-3
6. Faust (BYU) def. Baird, 6-3, 6-1
Doubles:
1. Vilms/Lozano (BYU) def. Madersbacher/Thomas, 8-3
2. White/Olsen (BYU) def. Baird/Burbidge, 8-4
3. Rudjuk/Faust (BYU) def. Bensearle/Bair, 8-6
The 39th-ranked BYU men's tennis team will take its 8-2 record into a dual meet against in-state rival Utah State Friday at 6 p.m. in the indoor tennis courts.
The Aggies are currently 3-7 overall and defeated Portland State 7-0 on Mar. 3 to record their second shutout of the season.
The Cougars are coming off a week that saw them pick up two wins, including a 4-3 road win against Mountain West Conference rival Utah Friday. BYU also defeated Montana State 7-0 Thursday in Provo.
BYU is led by a pair of strong doubles teams which are both currently ranked in the top 25 in the country. The team of senior Damien Ward and sophomore Gert Vilms is currently 24-8 overall. The team of junior Nic Losee and freshman Carlos Lozano is 18-6.
Vilms has also played well in singles, winning his last five matches.
