Feb. 26, 2008
Results
Complete Utah State Box Score 
Pocatello, ID--The Bengal men fall in another close 4-3 match, this time against Utah State. The Aggies improve to 3-8 season record while Idaho State falls to 1-7 over the season. The Bengals gained victories at the number one, three and five spots; coincidentally the first, second and third best singles record holders for the Bengals respectively.
"We've got to win at the number two, four and six spots as well as doubles," said head men's and women's tennis coach Bobby Goeltz.
The Bengals started off with close doubles matches at the number one and two spots, but lost all three contests to lose the doubles point and start the match off 0-1. Senior Marc Pijoan and freshman Danel Barrenechea took the Aggies to a tie breaker. Jakob Asplund and Jonas Tyden defeated the Bengals 8-7 (7-5). Sophomore Javier Royo and freshman Alex Buceta fell to Matt Braithwaite and Matt Searle 8-6.
Pijoan was victorious against his opponent Asplund in a three-set match at the number one spot. Pijoan fired it up and took the first set 6-1, allowing Asplund to hold service at the beginning of the match. The Bengal fell behind in the second set finding it difficult to gain the lead. In the third set Pijoan began the set with a 2-0 lead. He then dropped two games before holding the next four games to take the third set 6-2. Pijoan improves to a 6-2 singles record for the season.
Improving his singles record to 5-3, freshman Barrenechea defeated Fernando Gallegos in three sets. Barrenechea dropped the first set 4-6, but fought hard to take the next two sets 6-4, 6-2 at the number three spot. Sophomore Jeremy Atkin earned a victory at the number five spot in straight sets. Atkin defeated Matt Searle 7-5, 6-2.
Sophomore David Kutchins played the deciding match for the Bengals. He dropped the first set 6-2 but made a heroic effort and took Braithwaite to 6-4 in the second set.
"We are playing to get to conference," said Goeltz. "We have to work our way through and then see how well we can finish."
The Bengals look for another conference victory when they travel to play Eastern Washington on March 1st in Cheney, Washington.
