LOGAN, Utah – Despite key victories from Matthew Pearce, Keaton Cullimore and Jacob Sullivan, BYU men’s tennis fell to Utah State 4-3 at the Sports Academy and Racquet Club Friday afternoon.

The Aggies (8-6, 0-0 MWC) quickly claimed the doubles point over the Cougars (8-7, 1-0 WCC) as Jaime Barajas and Andrew Nakajima defeated Sam Tullis and Aidan Carrazedo, 6-2, followed by a win on court one as Matthew Pearce and Jeremy Bourgeois fell 6-3 to Kai Wehnelt and Samuel Serrano

In singles play, sophomore Matthew Pearce was the first off the court for BYU with a decisive 6-2, 6-1 win at fourth singles over Sergiu Bucur. Sullivan finished second with his 10th singles victory of the season with a 7-6(6), 6-4 win over Jack Swindells before Bourgeois fell in three sets to Barajas.

With the score tied 2-2, Cullimore came back to defeat Wehnelt, ranked No. 2 in the region, 1-6, 7-5, 7-6(6) at first singles, but Serrano outlasted John Pearce 7-6(4), 6-4 to tie the match again. Jonas Maier then clinched the match for Utah State as Carrazedo came up short, 6-2, 2-6, 6-1 at No. 6 singles.

Looking to earn their second conference win of the season, the Cougars return to the BYU indoor tennis courts to take on Santa Clara Saturday, March 4, at 5:30 p.m. MST.  

Utah State 4, BYU 3

Doubles Results

1. Wehnelt/Serrano (USU) def. Bourgeois/M. Pearce (BYU) 6-3
2. Swindells/Maier (USU) vs. Cullimore/J. Pearce (BYU) 5-4 (unfinished)
3. Barajas/Nakajima (USU) def. Tullis/Carrazedo (BYU) 6-2

Order of finish: (3,1)

Singles Results

1. Cullimore (BYU) def. Wehnelt (USU) 1-6, 7-5, 7-6 (8-6)
2. Sullivan (BYU) def. Swindells (USU) 7-6 (8-6), 6-4
3. Barajas (USU) def. Bourgeois (BYU) 6-4, 3-6, 7-6 (7-5)
4. M. Pearce (BYU) def. Sergiu Bucur (USU) 6-2, 6-1
5. Serrano (USU) def. J. Pearce (BYU) 7-6 (7-4), 6-4
6. Maier (USU) def. Carrazedo (BYU) 6-2, 2-6, 6-1

Order of finish (4,2,3,1,5,6)

PROVO, Utah – BYU men's tennis travels to Logan on Friday to take on regional opponent Utah State before hosting Santa Clara for the Cougars’ second conference matchup of the season on Saturday.

Last weekend, BYU (8-6, 1-0 WCC) split matches with two nationally-ranked teams on the road. After falling to No. 23 Oregon 7-0 on Friday, the Cougars upset No. 42 Drake on Saturday as senior Aidan Carrazedo clinched the 4-3 match at No. 6 singles. Strong play from Jacob Sullivan and John Pearce as well as a 7-6(14) doubles victory from Carrazedo and Sam Tullis helped the Cougars take down the Bulldogs.

Utah State (7-6, 0-0 MWC) concluded play at the ITA National Team Indoors with a 4-0 loss to No. 10 Georgia. Prior to the tournament, the Aggies were riding a five-match win streak, including an upset over No. 12 TCU. BYU fell 4-3 to No. 70 Utah State in Provo last season. This will be the Cougars' first match in Logan since 1985.

Santa Clara (7-1, 0-0 WCC) picked up a 4-1 victory over Grand Canyon on Sunday to remain undefeated at home so far this season. Connor Garnett and Andrew Gu lead the Broncos with 10 singles victories. Garnett and teammate Robert Seby were named the WCC Men’s Doubles Team of the Week earlier this month. BYU topped Santa Clara 4-3 on the road last season.

BYU plays Utah State at the Sports Academy and Racquet Club in Logan, Utah on Friday, March 3, at 1:30 p.m. MST before returning the BYU indoor tennis courts to play Santa Clara on Saturday at 5:30 p.m. MST. Admission to the match will be free and there will be free pizza. Links to live stats and a video stream can be found on the men’s tennis schedule page.