Last Homestand for Netters

PROVO -- For the final time this season, the No. 35 BYU men’s tennis team will play two matches on its home courts. The Cougars will face No. 56 San Diego State Friday and No. 58 UNLV Saturday.

“We’re preparing mentally and physically, and I’m confident our players will be ready,” BYU coach Brad Pearce said. “We’re looking forward to playing on our home courts in front of a great home crowd.”

First up for BYU will be San Diego State. The Aztecs, along with BYU, currently top the Mountain West Conference charts with a 3-0 record against league teams. SDSU earned doubleheader sweeps last week along with a 4-3 win over New Mexico to improve to 9-11 overall. Last season, the Cougars defeated the Aztecs 5-2 in regular-season play but lost 4-0 in the conference tournament.

“Friday’s match is a battle of the undefeated conference teams,” Pearce said. “It’s a big match for both sides, and we’re simply focusing on the things we have control over.”

UNLV (12-8, 2-1) is coming off a 4-3 win against New Mexico and a 6-1 victory over Air Force last week. BYU earned its first conference win of the season against UNLV last year in a 6-1 contest in Salt Lake City. Mehdi Bouras is the only ranked player for the Rebels and comes in at No. 121.

“UNLV has had some good wins this season and is a team we cannot take lightly,” Pearce said. “We’re expecting two good, tough matches this weekend.”

First serve is set for 1 p.m. both days. Play will be at the BYU Outdoor Tennis Courts. The courts are located south of the soccer field. Admission is free, and the team will provide pizza and prizes for fans. All BYU “Y Lot” parking lots are open to the public after 4 p.m. Friday and all day Saturday.