NEW -- BYU men’s tennis players Thomas Shubert and Spencer Smith fought hard but just missed the win in the consolation rounds of the USTA/ITA National Indoor Intercollegiate Championships Friday.

The Cougar duo lost to Columbia pair Nathaniel Gery and Kevin Kung 9-8 at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center.

After beating teammates Patrick Kawka and Evan Urbina 9-7 to take the Mountain Region doubles title, Shubert and Smith went to the Round of 16 in the national championships. The duo fell to Rafael Array and Mikk Irdoja of Armstrong Atlantic State 8-4 in the first-round match.

The Cougars will now return to Provo to prepare for winter season. BYU has its first matches against in-state opponents Utah State and Weber State Jan. 14 in Provo.

NEW -- After a Wednesday morning appearance on CBS’ “The Early Show”, Thomas Shubert and Salt Lake City native Spencer Smith will represent the BYU men’s tennis team in the USTA/ITA National Indoor Intercollegiate Championships Thursday.

The duo will take on Rafael Array and Mikk Irdoja of Armstrong Atlantic State at 10 a.m. ET.

The Cougar doubles team advanced to the tournament after taking first in the Mountain Regional Championships. The duo defeated teammates Patrick Kawka and Evan Urbina 9-7 in the final match in Provo Oct. 26.

Only 15 other doubles teams were selected to compete in the national tournament, which will be held at the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in New York. Fellow competitors come from schools such as Cal Berkeley, Duke, Ohio State and UCLA.

For more information on the tournament, click here .