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