Feb. 12, 2009
Final Stats
Complete Portland State Box Score 
Pocatello, ID-Idaho State opened Big Sky play with 4-3 loss to Portland State that was settled in the final match of the day at Reed Gym Thursday afternoon. The Bengals took an early lead capturing their first doubles point of the season and found two singles victories at the two and five spots, but fell short in the deciding match at the number six spot to give the Vikings their second conference victory.
The Bengals have played two fewer dual matches than their opponents but are closing in on the scoreboard of match play with each competition. Portland State improves to 3-3 for the season and are 2-0 in conference play overcoming Northern Colorado earlier in the month. Idaho State falls to 0-4 for the season and is 0-1 in conference play.
"I'm seeing improvement every match," said head men's and women's tennis coach Bobby Goeltz. "It takes awhile to get your footing."
Idaho State started off strong capturing two of the three doubles contests to start up 1-0 in the dual match. Number three doubles was first off the court as David Kutchins and Dan Buckingham captured the first game but fell 8-1 to Alex Vanderschelden and Jeff Cero. Javier Royo and Ross DeChant teamed up to easily defeat Chris Rice and Adam Blacker 8-2 at the number one spot. Royo held service at 2-2 to start a six game run.
Alex Buceta and Danel Barrenechea clinched the doubles point for the Bengals with an 8-5 pro set at the number two spot. Buceta and Barrenechea began with a 3-0 lead, but Portland State quickly recovered by spreading the Bengals on the court with low lobs. ISU captured the next four of five games to post the victory.
With just three courts, the number three match was first off with Buceta falling 6-3, 6-0 to Kyle Erickson tying the dual match at 1-1. Sophomore Barrenechea took back the match toward Bengal favor, 2-1, when he defeated Vanderschelden in a quick 6-4, 6-3 match at the number two spot.
"He's been in every match he's played (this season)," said Goetlz about Barrenechea. "He's right in there every match with a point or two deciding it and today he won it."
Freshman Dan Buckingham captured his first victory as a Bengal on his home court defeating Adam Blackner 6-0, 6-2 at the number five spot. Buckingham captured the first nine games before Blackner would get his first game on the scoreboard. Blackner would take two games from the Bengal before dropping the next three to give Idaho State the win.
"The win should give him a lot of confidence that he can play Division I Big Sky tennis," said Goeltz of Idaho native Buckingham.
Viking Jeff Cero tied it up for Portland State at 3-3 capturing a 6-4, 6-3 win over junior Ross DeChant at the number four spot. The Bengal held a lead at 4-3, but could not take another in the first set as Cero went on a 3-0 run to take the first set. Cero would hold the momentum to take the second set 6-3 without giving up a lead.
Junior Royo split at the number one spot to take Viking Rice to a three set match but could not overcome. Royo held service throughout the first set and broke Rice on the Viking's last service game to capture the set 6-4. Royo trailed until the score was tied at 4-4. The Bengal held his service to take a 5-4 lead, but Rice broke back and held service to close out the set 7-5.
In the third, Royo fell back 4-1, but came back to tie the game at 4-4 but would gain no more as Rice finished the set up a break. At 30-all the Viking and Bengal rallied until Royo attempting to pass Rice on a forehand down the line shot was put out of position as the Viking made a low cross court forehand volley to the open court. Rice took the match on an overhead smash.
The match came down the number six spot junior Andres Mancero who played his first match at home as a Bengal and the third of his career.
"It's a tough situation," said head coach Goeltz about the format of playing 1-6 singles in order of position. "I've never been in favor of this, but the way this format works out you have to put on 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 singles. When the match gets close it always comes down to your number five and six players who by definition are your weakest players and they end up with the most pressure of the whole match. That's a tough situation to be in."
Mancero started off strong taking a 3-2 lead as he held service. However, Branislav Valach pulled through to hold service and to take four straight games to post a 6-3 first set. Mancero struggled in the second and fell 6-2 after capturing two early games in the set.
Idaho State will have a day of rest for travel before playing Air Force at Colorado Springs, CO on Valentine's Day, Saturday, February 14 at noon.
