Feb. 18, 2008

Complete Weekly Tennis Notes: Weber State, Portland State, Air Force

REVIEW The men's team competed in three matches over the week against Weber State, Air Force and a conference match against Portland State. The Bengals were defeated by Weber State and Air Force but defeated Portland State to post a 1-0 conference record and a 1-2 season record. The men hold a 9-9, .500 individual season record. Senior Marc Pijoan leads the Bengals with a 3-0 singles record, followed by freshman Danel Barrenechea and sophomore Jeremy Atkin with a 2-1 singles record.

QUOTES FROM COACH GOELTZ
--"I see it as a turn around match. It's early in the season still." said head men's and women's coach Bobby Goeltz after the Weber State match.

--"When you are tired you don't waste time, every game counts," said Goeltz after the Air Force match.

#1 SPOT PIJOAN
Senior, Pijoan holds a season record of 3-0, all in straight sets, at the number one singles spot. He scored the lone win against their first match Weber State at the number one singles spot after returning from a medical red-shirt. Pijoan defeated Henning Hipp 6-4, 6-3 at the number one singles spot. Pijoan recognizes the attitude it takes to continue winning. "I just have to keep fighting, hopefully that will help the whole team. Not just me."

Pijoan defeated Portland State's Kyle Erickson in a conference match 6-1, 6-3. Tired Pijoan then defeated Brett Rodgers of Air Force 7-5, 6-1 at the number one singles. He held service the entire first set and broke Rodgers to take the first set 7-5. "I was pretty tired," said Pijoan. "I did not want to lose after fighting for the first set." He took a 2-0 lead in the second set before Rodgers held service the only game he would see during the second set. In doubles, Pijoan gained a victory with partner Barrenechea improved with an 8-4 victory over Portland State's Kyle Erickson and Alex Hart at the number one spot. Pijoan and Barrenechea have a doubles record of 1-2 after this weeks competition.

MEN'S RESULTS The Idaho State men's tennis team won their first conference match against Portland State giving Barrenechea, Alex Buceta and Javier Royo their first singles victories as Bengals. Freshman, Buceta overcame Sean Eberle 7-5, 3-6, 6-4 at the number four spot. Sophomore, Royo defeated VanDershelden 7-5, 7-5 match at the number two spot. Freshman, Barrenechea defeated Adam Blackner 6-3, 6-3 at the number three singles spot. Atkin, a sophomore, gained a singles victory when he easily defeated Cero 6-1, 6-3 at the number five spot.

Barrenechea and Atkin continued their winning day with victories over Air Force. Barrenechea defeated James Tomlin in straight sets 6-3, 6-4 at the number three spot. Atkin defeated Johnny Buckingham in a nail-bitting super-ten point tiebreaker, 6-7 (4-7), 7-5, 11-9 at the number five spot.