Box Score OGDEN, Utah – Idaho State battled against Gonzaga University today before falling 5-2 in Ogden.
"Overall the guys competed exceptionally well and I'm pleased with the two wins we got from Lukas and Gary," said Head Coach
Mark Rodel. "The rest of the guys competed well. The match could have easily turned. We lost two, three-set matches. Had we picked those up the result turns in our favor."
The Bengals lost the doubles point with a 6-3 loss at No. 3 and a tight 6-4 loss at No. 1.
"We need to address a few things and play a bit more aggressively," Rodel said.
Idaho State responded with the first win in singles play.
Lukas Ridemar defeated his opponent 6-3, 6-3 at court No. 4.
Gonzaga claimed the next two matches although
Fynn Lohse picked up a set at No. 3 singles. He won the first set 7-6 (4) before losing the next two. GU captured the deciding point with a narrow win at court No. 2.
David Felix won the first set 7-6 (4) but dropped the next two 6-3, 6-3.
Gary Rendek tallied the final point for Idaho State in a comeback win. He fell 6-4 in the first before grinding out a 7-6 (3) win to force a deciding set. He carried his momentum into the third set with a 6-4 win to close play.
The Bengals are back in action with two matches in Salt Lake City next weekend. Idaho State faces UC Irvine at 4 p.m. Saturday and Utah at 2 p.m. Sunday.
"Although we competed really well we need to learn how to finish a match like we start the match," Rodel said. "It's just persevering through the ups and downs as the matches progress and just being a little more mentally tough. It's good preparation and gives us a few more things to work on."
