PROVO -- BYU celebrated Senior Day with two victories, defeating Montana State 6-1 and Idaho State 7-0 in a double header Saturday on the BYU Outdoor Tennis Courts. The win improves the Cougar record to 7-13 this season.
It was senior day for BYU, so naturally the seniors took over. Jose Lechuga and Ivan Kokurin were awarded their senior blankets in a ceremony following the day's first match. The honors came after the victories, though, as both Lechuga and Kokurin opened their days with two-set wins. Kokurin beat Kyle MacDonald 6-3, 6-4 and Lechuga handed Tejeshawara Chigateri a 6-2, 6-1 loss. In the late match Lechuga earned a 6-0, 6-2 win and Kokurin walked away with a 6-3, 6-0 victory.
"Jose has a fun and lively personality and he's always able to keep things light in serious situations. Plus he's a great competitor," Coach Pearce said, talking about his seniors. "Ivan has stepped up this year and is playing great tennis right now. It will be hard to lose them, but I am excited these guys are playing their best tennis right now."
Although it was senior day, the day was also special because it marked the first outdoor home match of the season for BYU.
"Indoors you don't have to think as much, you just smack the ball. But out here you can play around a bit, and I like that," Dominik Kaufhold said about playing outside.
The Cougars seemed to like playing outside just fine. They got off to a great start in doubles, sweeping through al three matches to take the first point. Coach Brad Pearce said when facing a team that can beat you, getting that first point is always important, and he was happy his team was ready to play from the beginning. The doubles point came with some fireworks, as BYU clinched one of the matches on a code violation. Federico Ueltschi slammed his racket down after losing on court number two, 9-8. The judge called the violation, but since the match was over had to penalize the next highest doubles court. BYU was awarded a point on court number one, which sealed the match and the point for the Cougars.
The code violation set the stage for emotions to run high throughout the match. They were especially evident on court number five, where a match between Chip Hand and Montana State's Jakub Dybala produced fierce competitiveness, blood and a few harsh words. When the dust had finally cleared Hand pulled out the victory 6-2, 7-6. Hand's win clinched the match for the Cougars.
"Montana State is a scrappy team with good players, so I am pleased to get the win," Pearce said.
The Cougars came out banging in the second match, picking up right where they left off in the early match. They breezed through the doubles, sweeping with 8-4, 8-2, and 8-3 victories. Henry Marsh paired with Chip Hand at the number three doubles spot to net his first win as a Cougar.
Singles showcased more of the same, and another Cougar, Zack Warren, recorded his first victory as well with a 6-1, 6-3 win over Brian Richman. All the COUgars played well in singles, including Jams Ludlow who, fighting the flu, battled to a tough three set win over Marc Pijoan.
The two victories prepare BYU for its next match. The Cougar will travel to Hawaii to face the Warriors on March 30 in Honolulu.
BYU v.s. Montana State
BYU 6 Montana State 1
Doubles
1. Lechuga/Ludlow (BYU) def. Gebicki/McDonald (MSU) 9-8
2. Kaufhold/Kokurin (BYU) def. Chigateri/Ueltschi (MSU) 9-8
3. Hand/Sanchez (BYU) def. Berriochoa/Hauck (MSU) 8-6
Singles
1.Federico Ueltschi (MSU) def. James Ludlow (BYU) 6-3, 3-6, 1-0 (10-6)
2.Dominik Kaufhold (BYU) def. Marek Gebicki (MSU) 6-2, 6-1
3.Ivan Kokurin (BYU) def. Kyle McDonald (MSU) 6-3, 6-4
4.Jose LEchuga (BYU) def. Tejeshwara Chigateri (MSU) 6-2, 6-1
5.Chip Hand (BYU) def. Dybala (MSU) 6-2, 7-6
6.Jonathan Sanchez (BYU) def. Jake Berriochoa (MSU) 6-3, 6-4
BYU v.s. Idaho State
Doubles
1.Ludlow/Lechuga (BYU) def. Pijoan/Mohades (ISU) 8-4
2.Kaufhold/Kokurin (BYU) def. Ruwo/Sakamoto (ISU) 8-2
3.Hand/Marsh (BYU) def. Danilkovich/Richman (ISU) 8-3
Singles
1.Ludlow (BYU) def. Pijoan (ISU) 6-4, 4-6, 1-0 (10-6)
2.Kaufhold (BYU) def. Danilkovich (ISU) 6-4, 6-1
3.Kokurin (BYU) def. Ruwo (ISU) 6-3, 6-0
4.Lechuga (BYU) def. Sakamuto (ISU) 6-0, 6-2
5.Hand (BYU) def. Mohades (ISU) 6-4, 6-0
6.Warren (BYU) def. Richman (ISU) 6-1, 6-3