PROVO, Utah -- (Sept. 17, 2005) -- Hard fought championship matches brought the Iman's Court Open at BYU to and end Saturday afternoon and sent three Cougar tennis players home with second place finishes.
Although athletes from the BYU men's tennis team weren't able to claim the title of champion in either the singles or doubles events, coach Brad Pearce said the tournament was a success and will be very useful in the team's preparation for the upcoming season.
"It was a great tournament because everyone learned early on in the season some of the things they need to work on," he said. "Now we know what to focus on individually and as a team."
The Cougars came up short in both championship matches, but it wasn't for lack of effort. In the singles final, Junior Dominik Kaufhold went up against Eric Roberson in a three set match that lasted two and a half hours. Kaufhold had double set point at one time in the first set, serving with the lead 40-15. But Eric Roberson refused to lose, scoring four straight points to tie the set at five games each, then scoring four more points to go up six sets to five. Roberson went on to win the set 7-5.
The second set was just as exciting, ending in a tiebreak in which Kaufhold had to come back from four points down to take the set. However, in the third Roberson's style of play was too much for Kaufhold and allowed Roberson to win the match 7-5, 6-7, 6-2.
"I just had too many unforced errors," Kaufhold said. "But my game is better than it was last year so I'm satisfied."
The doubles final was equally as thrilling and went back and forth until the end. Nima Roshan and Jose Lechuga, who made up the number one doubles team for BYU last year, lost 9-7 to their coach Brad Pearce and his partner Dan Battistone. Pearce said while it was different playing against his own guys, he feels it was a great learning experience for them.
"When they see me use the patterns I'm teaching them in my own play I think it becomes a little more relevant to them," he said.
After four straight days of play, the team now has a little time to rest up before their next event. Various members of the team will head to Tulsa, Okla., October 3-9 to compete in the ITA All-American tournament.
Complete brackets and results from the Iman's Court Open at BYU can be found at www.edraws.com/byu.
CHAMPIONSHIP SINGLES:
Roberson def Kaufhold 7-5, 6-7, 6-2
CHAMPIONSHIP DOUBLES
Battistone/Pearce def Roshan/ Lechuga 9-7
SINGLES:
Ludlow def Roshan 6-4, 6-0
Sanchez def Battistone 7-5, 7-5
Werbeck def Hand No Score
DOUBLES:
Hand/Sanchez def Battistone/Marsh 8-1