Feb. 16, 2008
Results
Complete Box Score: Portland State 
Pocatello, ID--The Idaho State men's tennis team won their first conference match against Portland State Saturday morning at Reed Gym giving them a 1-0 conference record. The Bengals improved their season record to 1-1 while Portland State's season record fell to 0-5. The Bengals defeated the Vikings 5-2 giving up only a point for doubles and a point for singles.
The Bengals won one of the three doubles contests, losing the deciding match in a tie breaker. Marc Pijoan and Danel Barrenechea improved their season record to 1-1 with an 8-4 victory over Kyle Erickson and Alex Hart at the number one spot. Jeremy Atkin and David Kutchins fought hard but were defeated by Jeff Cero and Alex VanDerschelden 9-7. The Bengals held an early lead, but let the Vikings back into the match at 4-3. Atkin and Kutchins refocused and ended the Vikings four game lead at 7-5. Unfortuantely, it was not enough to hold them and the Bengals were defeated 7-5 in the tie breaker putting the Bengals behind 0-1 as they headed into singles play.
Freshman, Alex Buceta won his first match as a Bengal and earned the deciding fourth point for Idaho State to clench their victory. He became aware of his deciding match in the third set. ""It didn't affect my play", said Buceta. "I just kept fighting and never gave up". Buceta defeated Sean Eberle 7-5, 3-6, 6-4 at the number four spot. Buceta improves his singles record to 1-1.
Pijoan, a senior, defeated Kyle Erickson in straight sets at the number one spot improving on his undefeated season record of 2-0. Pijoan took the first three games in the first set before letting Erickson in to the set for only one game. Pijoan then won the next four games in a row. Erickson held serve to tie the Bengal at 1-1. Erickson held service three times in the last set for a 6-1, 6-3 loss to Pijoan.
Sophomore, Javier Royo also won his first match as a Bengal when he defeated VanDershelden in a nail-bitting 7-5, 7-5 match at the number two spot. Freshman, Barrenechea won his first match as a Bengal defeating Adam Blackner 6-3, 6-3 at the number three singles spot. Atkin, a sophomore gained a singles victory when he easily defeated Cero 6-1, 6-3 at the number five spot.
Idaho State continues play Saturday afternoon, February 16th against Air Force at Reed Gym.
Doubles
1. Marc Pijoan/Danel Barrenechea (ISU) def. Kyle Erickson/Alex Hart (PSU) 8-4
2. Sean Eberle/Adam Blackner (PSU) def. Javier Royo/Alex Buceta (ISU) 8-4
3. Jeff Cero/Alex VanDerschelden (PSU) def. Jeremy Atkin/David Kutchins (ISU) 9-8 (7-5)
Singles
1. Marc Pijoan (ISU) def. Kyle Erickson (PSU) 6-1, 6-3
2. Javier Royo (ISU) def. Alex VanDerschelden (PSU) 7-5, 7-5
3. Danel Barrenechea (ISU) def. Adam Blackner (PSU) 6-3, 6-3
4. Alex Buceta (ISU) def. Sean Eberle (PSU) 7-5, 3-6, 6-4
5. Jeremy Atkin (ISU) def. Jeff Cero (PSU) 6-1, 6-3
6. Alex Hart (PSU) def. David Kutchins (ISU) 6-4, 6-1
Order of Finish Doubles: 2, 1, 3
Order of Finish Singles: 1, 3, 2, 4, 5, 6
Final Score: ISU 5, PSU 2
