Tennis team wins first of season
The USU men’s tennis team is now perfect in their new home after defeating the Northern Arizona University Lumberjacks 4-3 in the Aggies’ home opener Friday afternoon at the Sports Academy’s new tennis center.
The Aggies began the contest by losing all four doubles matches, but rebounded in singles, winning four of six.
“I’m proud of the team as a whole,” said Coach Christian Wright. “Everybody worked hard.”
In a match that seemed to typify how things went for the Aggies, USU junior Dantley Young rallied in a come-from-behind effort, beating NAU’s Gareth Ducray 4-6, 7-6, 6-3.
“I had some chances in the first set and I got down early,” Young said. “It was tough. Mentally, I think I wanted it more than he did. It all comes down to your heart. Never give up.”
The win is Young’s first of the season in singles. Young, an exercise science major from West Jordan, attracted the most onlookers to his court with his spirited display of self-motivation.
“I love having a good crowd; it makes me play better. They get into it and then I get into it. It definitely helps out,” Young said.
Also victorious for the Aggies was No. 1 singles Johannes Zelle who maintained his composure to edge out NAU’s Henrik Lilja in two sets, 7-5, 7-5.
“It was our first home match, so I was a little nervous,” Zelle said. “I had match point and served three double-faults.”
Zelle was able to gain the advantage with crisp passing shots during the big points in the match. Lilja’s lack of mobility also played a factor.
“I tried to step in a little bit and put some pressure on him,” Zelle said. “I think he didn’t move very well, so I tried to make him run.”
In the rest of the singles action, USU senior Joao Pinho beat Casey Ross 7-5, 6-4. USU’s JJ Netto lost to Jeff Morys 3-6, 4-6.
Aggie Freshman Bryan Marchant fought back in the second set to beat Brian
Grooms 6-1, 7-6 (8-6).
Aggie Sophomore Jonas Tyden won the first set before suffering from cramps in his loss to Trent Hayward, 7-6, 4-6, 1-6.
The Aggie men began the season on Jan. 14 with a 7-0 loss to No. 63 ranked BYU in Provo.
Though the score was lopsided, Coach Wright was optimistic about the men’s play.
“We did not play poorly at BYU,” Wright said. “They were playing very comfortably on their home court. We just didn’t put away the balls when we had the advantage.”
The men followed the BYU loss with a disappointing 4-3 loss to Idaho State on Jan. 18.
“I expected us to win that match,” Wright said. “We knew we let one get by.”
The Aggie men now look ahead to a Jan. 27 meeting with the University of Utah in Salt Lake.
The Aggie women also began their spring season at BYU, losing 6-1.
USU senior Andrea Baker defeated BYU’s Breanna Williamson 6-3, 2-6, 11-9 to capture the Aggies’ only win in Provo.
The women will travel to Bozeman, Mont., Jan. 27 for three-straight days of
matches against Montana State, Gonzaga and Wyoming, respectively.
“I am confident in our girls,” Wright said. “We have excellent talent and great determination, it’s just making sure we play smart.”
The women’s match at Idaho State, originally scheduled for Jan. 19, was
rescheduled for Feb. 7 at 9 a.m.
-jhislop@cc.usu.edu
Utah State’s Joao Pinho prepares to return the ball to his opponent during a match against Northern Arizona at the Sports Academy Friday.
Dantley Young winds up to swing at the ball during a match Friday