Jan. 29, 2009
Final Stats
Complete Utah State Box Score 
Pocatello, ID--Idaho State had two three set matches but could not overcome as they fell 6-1 in their season opener against Utah State giving the Aggies their first victory of the season as they improved to 1-3 at Reed Gym Thursday night. Junior Javier Royo posted the first singles victory of the season defeating Jakob Asplund 6-3, 6-2 at the number one spot. The Bengals begin the season at 0-1.
Junior Javier Royo posted the first singles victory of the season defeating Jakob Asplund 6-3, 6-2 at the number one spot. The Bengals begin the season at 0-1.
Idaho State began the match down 0-1 as they dropped all three contests. David Kutchins and Dan Buckingham fell 8-0 to Mike Banks and Jordan Barlow. Juniors Javier Royo and Ross DeChant teamed up for the first time in their careers posting an 8-2 loss to Jakob Asplund and Bryan Marchant at the number one spot.
Danel Barrenechea and Alex Buceta teamed up in a one hour and 17 minute match against Amit Maharaj and Alex Thatcher. The Bengals tied it up at 4-4 making well placed volleys. Utah State took the lead, but Idaho State stayed on their heels to break the Aggies to take it into a tie breaker. The score would remain tight until the Aggies took it 12-10. ISU fell 9-8 (12-10) at the number two spot.
Royo commandingly took the first victory of the season in straight sets over Jakob Asplund. Royo took six sets to feel out his opponent as they were tied 3-3 in the first. His deep forehands proved too much for Asplund as Royo won the next ten games putting the junior from Spain up 4-0 in the second set. He would allow Asplund to hold service twice before overcoming the Aggie.
Sophomore Barrenechea fell in the tiebreaker in the first set and easily captured the second set. He played solidly, but fell in the third to post a 7-6(7-5), 3-6, 6-4 loss to Maharaj at the number two spot. DeChant fell 6-1, 6-1 to Marchant at the number three position. Sophomore Buceta also played three sets taking the first 6-4, but could not overcome falling 4-6, 6-2, 6-3 at the number four spot.
Freshman Buckingham played his first match of his career falling 6-2, 6-3 to Thatcher at the number five spot. Kutchins was the last to leave the court as Jordan Barlow defeated the Bengal 6-0, 6-0 at the number six spot.
Idaho State's next dual match will begin a seven road game streak as they head to Weber State on February 10. The match begins at noon.
