Fuchs, Thayne first doubles team to qualify for NCAA tournament in 20 years

MALIBU, Calif. – Wally Thayne and Zach Fuchs triumphed over the No. 13 team in the country  in three sets at the ITA Fall Championships to qualify for the NCAA Tournament. Thayne and Fuchs made a run of three wins that included two top-15 teams in the nation.

“Our first goal and step in the semester was to make the NCAA Tournament and our guys certainly had to do it the hard way," head coach Zack Warren said. "We had a tough break at the All-American Championhsip in Tulsa but Zach and Wally refocused and qualified for this sectional event in Malibu. This was definitely the hardest path to the National Championships, the competition this week was as steep as you'd see in any event. We had to knock off three premier doubles teams, two ranked in the top-15 in the country, and I couldn't be more proud of Zach and Wally." 

The Cougars pairing will be the first doubles pairing in 20 years to compete at the NCAA championship. This will be the first year it has changed to the fall, beginning on Nov. 19 and ending on Nov. 24. 

Thayne and Fuchs beat the No. 13 doubles team from Cal in three sets. After dropping the first set 4-6 the Cougars found themselves down 1-0 in the match. BYU responded with a second set win where they controlled the set and won it 6-2. 

After splitting sets, the teams found themselves in a 10-point super tiebreak. This would test both teams to almost every point. The Cougars were able to earn a point off the California team’s serve and then capitalized. BYU would finish the tiebreak winning 10-7.

"Zach and Wally really showcased their resilience throughout the semester and their ability to play their best tennis when it mattered most," Warren added. "Our team and coaches back home also deserve a tremendous amount of credit for helping prepare these two for battle."

The Cougars also picked up a straight-set win in their match against another doubles team from Cal on Friday. They controlled the first set from the beginning winning 6-2. They then had more resistance from the opposing team in the second but were able to grab hold of the set and win it 6-4.

Thayne and Fuchs dropped just one set in their three days of play. They qualified for the NCAA tournament with the last win so they will not compete in the finals against what would have been another team from Cal.

"A huge shoutout to our loyal supporters this week in Malibu, they were the X-factor," Warren said. "Now it's time to prepare and get ready to play our best at the NCAA's, it's a great day to be a Coug."

Thayne and Fuchs will finish the fall season in Waco, Texas at the NCAA tournament. They have gone 6-2 in their doubles matches throughout the three tournaments they competed in. They will be the lone representatives for BYU and as mentioned prior the first doubles team since 2004 to qualify for the NCAA’s.