LAS -- The BYU men's tennis team recorded its first Mountain West Conference win on Saturday when it handed Air Force a 7-0 loss in Las Vegas. With the win the Cougars improve to 13-9 overall and 1-2 in conference play.

"This was a decisive win that will help build our team's confidence," said BYU head coach Brad Pearce. "One thing I thought was great was everyone's performance across the board. This was an individual and collective effort."

At No. 3 doubles Cassidy Mears and Evan Urbina recorded the first win for the Cougars with their 8-2 victory. Daniel Hwang and Thomas Shubert were the next to follow, closing out their match at 8-3 and claiming the doubles point. On the first court Jonathan Sanchez and A.J. Young defeated Brett Rogers and Taylor Soster (8-3) to complete the doubles sweep.

In singles play, Evan Urbina made quick work of his Air Force opponent, defeating him in straight sets (6-1, 6-1). BYU's five remaining players also won their respective matches in straight sets, marking the first time the team has done so this season.

Playing on court two, Shubert defeated Austin Francis 6-3, 6-2, while Young recorded a 6-1, 6-2 win as well. Mears and Sanchez won 6-2, 6-2 and 6-3, 6-4 matches at the No. 3 and No. 1 positions, respectively. Hwang wrapped things up for the Cougars with his 6-5, 6-0 win on the fifth court.

"This is the first step in our preparation for our upcoming home conference matches," said Pearce. "We look forward to the next week and a half so we can get our guys healthy and recuperate. Then we'll get back at it."

The Cougars will return to action at home against SDSU, New Mexico and Utah on April 10-12.

RESULTS
BYU def. Air Force, 7-0
March 29, 2008 - Las Vegas
Singles
1. Jonathan Sanchez (BYU) def. Brett Rodgers, 6-3, 6-4
2. Thomas Schubert (BYU) def. Austin Francis, 6-3, 6-2 
3. Cassidy Mears (BYU) def. Taylor Soster, 6-2, 6-2
4. Evan Urbina (BYU) def. Johnny Buckingham, 6-1, 6-1
5. Daniel Hwang (BYU) def. Alex Beaussart, 7-5, 6-0
6. A.J. Young (BYU) def. Mike Gies, 6-1, 6-2
Doubles
1. Sanchez/Young (BYU) def. Rodgers/Soster, 8-3
2. Schubert/Hwang (BYU) def. Francis/Beaussart, 8-3
3. Mears/Urbina (BYU) def. Buckingham/Gies, 8-2

PROVO -- The BYU men's tennis team heads to Las Vegas this weekend to open Mountain West Conference play against UNLV, No. 31 TCU and Air Force. After suffering a 4-3 home loss to UC Irvine on Tuesday, the Cougars hope to improve on their 12-7 record.

The Rebels of UNLV are coming off a 7-0 loss to No. 40 California last week, falling to 6-8 on the year. BYU dropped both of its matches against the Rebels last season, once in the regular season and once at the conference tournament.

TCU is currently 13-5 overall this season and is led by senior Cosmin Cotet, who is ranked No. 29 in singles play. Cotet is also nationally ranked at No. 45 with doubles partner Kriegler Brink. The Horned Frogs remains unbeaten against BYU, holding a 6-0 advantage in the series record.

The Air Force Academy enters the weekend with a 10-8 overall record, after winning its final home match of the season against University of Missouri-Kansas City.

The Cougars are scheduled to play UNLV at 2 p.m. PT on Thursday. BYU will then face TCU and Air Force at 10 a.m. PT on Friday and Saturday, respectively. All matches will be played at the Fertitta Tennis Complex.