Box Score OGDEN, Utah – The Idaho State men's tennis team fell 6-1 at Utah State Sunday afternoon to open the spring season. ISU's only point came in singles play in the final match of the competition despite several strong performances.
"We came out and competed as well as I've seen any team compete since I've been around at ISU against a quality Utah State team," said Head Coach
Mark Rodel. "Utah State has won its conference the last three years in a row and last year got as high as No. 36 in the country I believe. Overall, it's never fun to lose, but it definitely shows me that we have the potential to be a contender in the Big Sky."
Idaho State was swept in doubles play with a 6-1 loss at No.1 doubles and a 6-4 loss at No. 3 doubles.
The Bengals fell in the first five matches of singles play before
Fynn Lohse earned ISU's lone point with a 6-3, 6-3, straight-sets win over USU's Rithvik Bollipalli.
Peter Trhac and
Lukas Ridemar were both able to force third sets. Trhac won the first set 6-0 before losing 6-1 and 6-2 in the final two. Ridemar fell in the first set before battling his way to a 6-2 win in the second. Utah State's Duro Opacic was able to win the final set 6-3.
"The freshman were very impressive led by
Fynn Lohse who played an outstanding match," Rodel said. "
Lukas Ridemar played very well as well and lost in a close third set. It was extremely exciting. We've got a lot to work with. What a way to come out and compete for ISU at the highest level."
The Bengals have the next three weeks to prepare for back-to-back matches in Boise. Idaho State faces Lewis and Clark State College on Feb. 2 and Boise State on Feb. 3.
Utah State 6, Idaho State 1
Singles competition
1. Isaac Arturo Arevalo (USU) def. FELIX, David (ISU) 6-4, 6-4
2. Sergiu Bucur (USU) def. TRHAC, Peter (ISU) 0-6, 6-1, 6-2
3. Duro Opacic (USU) def. RIDEMAR, Lukas (ISU) 6-4, 2-6, 6-3
4. Felipe Acosta (USU) def. FILIPOVICH, Francis (ISU) 6-1, 6-1
5. Jose Carvajal (USU) def. RENDEK, Gary (ISU) 6-0, 6-0
6. LOHSE, Fynn (ISU) def. Rithvik Bollipalli (USU) 6-3, 6-3
Doubles competition
1. Isaac Arturo Arevalo/Jose Carvajal (USU) def. TRHAC, Peter/FELIX, David (ISU) 6-1
2. Sergiu Bucur/Rithvik Bollipalli (USU) vs. RIDEMAR, Lukas/RENDEK, Gary (ISU) unfinished
3. Duro Opacic/Felipe Acosta (USU) def. LOHSE, Fynn/FILIPOVICH, Francis (ISU) 6-4
Match Notes:
Order of finish: Doubles (1,3); Singles (4,1,5,3,2,6)
