The BYU men’s tennis team defeated Air Force (5-0), but finally lost their undefeated record, falling to the University of Denver (3-4) this weekend in Denver.
BYU head coach Brad Pearce said it was a “good win” for the team and added that Air Force is 'always a very spirited team and competes well.”
The Cougars secured the doubles point after a 6-4 win from doubles team Jeremy Bourgeois and Shane Monroe and a 6-4 win from Andrey Goryachkov and Jacob Sullivan.
The team was able to carry the momentum into the singles matches, with a 6-3, 6-3 victory from Goryachkov. Bourgeois won his match in two sets as well, pushing the overall score up to 3-0, Cougar lead. Monroe earned the final point for the victory, winning in two sets. Keaton Cullimore’s two set win added to the triumph.
Junior Jeremy Bourgeois receives a word of encouragement earlier this season from former player and current assistant coach, Patrick Kawka. The Cougars lost to Denver but maintain a 7-1 season record. (Natalie Bothwell)
Saturday was a different story for the Cougars.
“It's always painful to lose a match when it could have gone either way,” Pearce said. “We'll make our evaluations as to where we need to get better as individuals and as a team, and we will focus on those things this upcoming week as we prepare for a series of regional rivalry matches, starting with Boise State next Saturday.'
Losing the doubles point proved fatal for the Men’s tennis team. Goryachkov and Sullivan lost their match, followed by a loss by Monroe and Bourgeois.
Temporarily gaining back ground during the singles play, Bourgeois won his match 2-6, 6-2, 6-3 and Monroe won 7-5, 6-4, after Goryachkov lost his match 6-3, 7-5.
Despite a 6-7, 6-1, 6-2 victory from John Pearce, Sullivan and Cullimore lost their matches, giving the Pioneers the final points needed for the overall win.
BYU returns to Provo to play Boise State at home on Saturday, Feb. 13, at 5:30 p.m. Free pizza will be provided for all that attend and admission is free.