LAS VEGAS, Nev. – The Idaho State men's tennis team fell 4-1 to UNLV at the Fertitta Tennis Complex Tuesday afternoon. The Bengals claimed the doubles point before dropping the first four matches of singles play.
"We had a really strong performance today by the ISU Bengals," said Head Coach
Mark Rodel. "We came out winning the doubles point against UNLV to take the lead 1-0. We had two matches in a row with fantastic execution and positive play in doubles. In singles we really stood up well against the Rebels."
David Felix and
Gary Rendek paired up for a 6-4 win at No. 2 doubles to open play in Las Vegas.
Francis Filipovich and
Lukas Ridemar followed with a 6-3 win at No. 3 to seal the doubles point for the Bengals.
The Rebels took the first two matches of singles play in straight sets.
Peter Trhac put up a fight at No. 2 after falling 6-1 in the first set. He won the second set 3-6, but was defeated 6-2 in the third set.
Felix also lost a tight match at No. 1. After dropping the first 6-2, he clawed back with a 7-5 win in the second. He was narrowly defeated 6-4 in the deciding set as UNLV clinched the match.
The remainder of the matches, both in the third set, went unfinished.
Fynn Lohse was tied 6-4, 4-6, 5-5 when play ended.
"In positions 1-4 we were able to come back from one set down and push it into a third set," Rodel said. "The guys are really toughening up and playing well despite the loss."
Idaho State is now 5-7 overall this season. The Bengals return to conference play against Northern Arizona Friday morning at 11 a.m.
"Overall, I'm pleased with our performance," Rodel said. "Our guys are getting grittier, they're really executing well and we believe in what we are doing and can move forward with confidence."
UNLV 4, Idaho State 1
Singles competition
1. Jordan Sauer (UNLV) def. FELIX, David (ISU) 6-2, 5-7, 6-4
2. Eric Samuelsson (UNLV) def. TRHAC, Peter (ISU) 6-1, 3-6, 6-2
3. Richard Solberg (UNLV) vs. LOHSE, Fynn (ISU) 6-4, 4-6, 5-5, unfinished
4. Milos Dabic (UNLV) vs. RIDEMAR, Lukas (ISU) 6-3, 2-6, 4-1, unfinished
5. Clayton Alenik (UNLV) def. RENDEK, Gary (ISU) 6-2, 6-1
6. Tom Ciszewski (UNLV) def. FILIPOVICH, Francis (ISU) 6-3, 6-3
Doubles competition
1. Eric Samuelsson/Clayton Alenik (UNLV) vs. TRHAC, Peter/LOHSE, Fynn (ISU) 5-4, unfinished
2. FELIX, David/RENDEK, Gary (ISU) def. Jordan Sauer/Olle Thestrup (UNLV) 6-4
3. FILIPOVICH, Francis/RIDEMAR, Lukas (ISU) def. Richard Solberg/Milos Dabic (UNLV) 6-3
Match Notes:
Order of finish: Doubles (2,3); Singles (5,6,2,1)
