Netters Route Lions as Season Nears the End

PROVO, Utah – Winning the doubles point for its fifth consecutive match, the No. 52 BYU men’s tennis team routed conference opponent Loyola Marymount, 6-1, Friday at the BYU Outdoor Tennis Courts.

“I thought the key was getting a win today,” BYU coach Brad Pearce said. “It’s been awhile since we’ve had a match. The guys worked hard through finals but I knew we’d be a little bit rusty. It was a great match to get under our belt for tomorrow against Pepperdine.”

The Cougars (14-7, 4-2 WCC) continued to dominate in doubles, never trailing on any of the three courts. Senior co-captain Georgy Batrakov and sophomore Patrick Kawka went on a 6-0 run to grab the first doubles win on Court 1, 8-2. Junior Spencer Smith and freshman Francis Sargeant followed suit, capturing an 8-4 decision over their Court 2 opponents. Freshman Keaton Cullimore and senior co-captain Michael Eraso wrapped up the sweep with a victory on Court 3.

BYU carried its momentum into singles, posting first-set wins on five of the six courts. No. 74 Batrakov only dropped two games to Todd Volmari in his 6-1, 6-1 win to put the Cougars up 2-0 over the Lions (10-12, 3-3 WCC).

Playing on Court 5, Sargeant won a swift 6-0 first set before closing out the second 6-3. Eraso secured the match win for BYU, topping Robin Kiyabu 6-4, 6-0 on Court 6.

Cullimore and Kawka extended the Cougars’ margin of victory after battling through grueling tiebreakers. Cullimore posted a Court 4 win, 6-4, 7-6(12-10), before Kawka fought back after dropping the first set, to defeat his Court 3 opponent, 6-7(5), 6-3, 10-4.

Playing on Court 1, Alex Wilton recorded the lone LMU point. After splitting sets, Wilton edged out Smith in a third set tiebreaker for a 4-6, 7-6(3), 10-7 win.

BYU concludes regular season play at home Saturday against perennial powerhouse No. 7 Pepperdine (20-6, 7-0 WCC). The match is Senior Day, honoring Batrakov and Eraso.

Match play begins at noon at the BYU Outdoor Tennis Courts. Pizza and prizes will be provided, including an autographed Jimmer Fredette basketball, a limited edition Roger Federer poster and a brand new tennis racquet.

LMU – 1

#52 BYU – 6

Singles competition:
1. Alex Wilton (LMU) def. Spencer Smith (BYU) 4-6, 7-6(3), 10-7
2. #74 Georgy Batrakov (BYU) def. Todd Volmari (LMU) 6-1, 6-1
3. Patrick Kawka (BYU) def. Sebastian Bustamante (BYU) 6-7 (5), 6-3, 10-4
4. Keaton Cullimore (BYU) def. Felix Van Kann (LMU) 6-4, 7-6(12-10)
5. Francis Sargeant (BYU) def. Daniel Simko (LMU) 6-0, 6-3
6. Michael Eraso (BYU) def. Robin Kiyabu (LMU) 6-4, 6-0
Order of finish: 2, 5, 6, 4, 1, 3

Doubles competition:
1. G. Batrakov/P. Kawka (BYU) def. A. Wilton/F. Wan Kann (LMU) 8-2
2. S. Smith/F. Sargeant (BYU) def. S. Bustamante/D. Simko (LMU) 8-4
3. K. Cullimore/ M. Eraso (BYU) def. T. Volmari/N. Northcott (LMU) 6-5
Order of finish: 1, 2, 3