Cougars sweep Toreros, remain atop WCC standings

PROVO, Utah — BYU men’s tennis swept San Diego 4-0 at the Outdoor Tennis Courts on Saturday, improving to 5-0 in West Coast Conference play and extending its win streak to five matches. It was the Cougars' fifth sweep of the season.

"We're very pleased with that 4-0 win against San Diego," BYU head coach Dave Porter said. "They're a very good tennis team who has suffered some season-ending injuries and did not have a full lineup to play us today. They fought hard right to the very end and had we not closed it out when we did, it was still a very tense and tight match. They're a good team and well coached. Our boys stood up, played hard and fought hard. We're pleased to still be undefeated in the conference and looking forward to San Francisco on Friday and Utah here at home, for senior day on Saturday."

The Cougars got started by earning the doubles point with victories at No. 2 and No. 1 doubles. Sean Hill and Sam Tullis beat Garrett Kurtz and Marvin Schaber, 6-2. No. 71 Jack Barnett and Ben Gajardo followed, taking down No. 61 August Holmgren and David Norfeldt, 6-3. 

Six very intense singles matches then ensued on all courts, including four matches that went into a third set. BYU got quick wins by Mateo Vereau Melendez and Matheus Ferreira Leite to take a 3-0 lead. Melendez beat Blake Kasday 6-4, 6-2 at the No. 5 spot, and at No. 6, Leite earned a 6-3, 6-2 win over Kurtz.

With all four singles matches in the No.1 through No. 4 spots going into a third set, it became a race to the finish. The Cougars prevailed as Hill outlasted No. 30 August Holmgren at No. 1 singles, 2-6, 6-3, 7-5 to earn the fourth needed point for the win, completing BYU's fifth sweep of the season. 

The Cougars will host San Francisco on Friday, April 16, at 11 a.m. MDT and in-state rival Utah on Saturday, April 17, at 3 p.m. MDT in the final two home matches of the season. Both matches are scheduled to be played at the Outdoor Tennis Courts. 

MATCH RESULTS

BYU 4 USD 0

Doubles Competition

1. No. 71 Jack Barnett/Ben Gajardo (BYU) def. No. 61 August Holmgren/David Norfeldt (USD), 6-3

2. Sean Hill/Sam Tullis (BYU) def. Garrett Kurtz/Marvin Schaber (USD), 6-2

3. Mateo Vereau Melendez/Brigham Andrus (BYU) vs. Nico Borter/Blake Kasday (USD), 3-4, uf.

Order of finish: (2, 1)

Singles Competition

1. Sean Hill (BYU) def. No. 30 August Holmgren (USD), 2-6, 6-3, 7-5

2. Jack Barnett (BYU) vs. Nico Borter (USD), 6-7 (4), 6-3, 2-3, uf.

3. Ben Gajardo (BYU) vs. David Norfeldt (USD), 7-5, 5-7, 1-3, uf.

4. Sam Tullis (BYU) vs. Marvin Schaber (USD), 7-6 (3), 2-6, 3-1, uf. 

5. Mateo Vereau Melendez (BYU) def. Blake Kasday (USD), 6-4, 6-2

6. Matheus Ferreira Leite (BYU) def. Garrett Kurtz (USD), 6-3, 6-4

Order of finish: (5, 6, 1)