Orlando, Fla. – An all-around team effort pushed BYU past Florida Gulf Coast University 6-1 at the USTA National Campus in Orlando, Florida Monday afternoon.

"This weekend was a great start to our season," BYU head coach Brad Pearce said. "Both coaches from UNC-Wilmington and FGCU said how impressed they were with how prepared our guys were. The team came out to Florida with very different weather conditions and were prepared physically and mentally to battle. It feels good to come out on top to two teams who both won their conference last year and competed in the NCAA tournament. We're not taking anything for granted and this gives us momentum moving forward." 

The Cougars (2-0) started off strong against the Eagles (0-2) to earn the doubles point. Sean Hill and Jeffrey Hsu defeated Oliver Landert and Felipe Ramirez 6-2 in the No. 1 slot. BYU’s Sam Tullis and John Pearce fell short to Felipe Escobar and Mateo Ruiz 7-5. Matthew Pearce and David Ball secured the doubles point for BYU in the No. 3 slot with a victory over Austin Bates and Javier Fernandez 7-5.

In singles play, BYU quickly topped FGCU with four-straight victories from J. Pearce, Ben Gajardo, Hill and Hsu. S. Tullis fell short in his match, but M. Pearce battled against Fernandez and came out on top 6-1, 4-6, 6-1 in No. 5 singles. 

The Cougars host Montana State and Weber State in a doubleheader home-opener at the Indoor Tennis Courts in Provo Saturday, Jan. 20, at 11 a.m. MST and 5 p.m. MST, respectively.

Match Results

BYU 6, FGCU 1

Doubles Results

1. Hill/Hsu (BYU) def. Landert/Ramirez (FGCU) 6-2
2. Escobar/Ruiz (FGCU) def. S. Tullis/J. Pearce (BYU) 7-5
3. M. Pearce/Ball (BYU) def. Bates/Fernandez (FGCU) 7-5

Order of finish: (1, 2, 3)

Singles Results

1. Hill (BYU) def. Ramirez (FGCU) 7-5, 6-1
2. Hsu (BYU) def. Ruiz (FGCU) 6-4, 7-6
3. Landert (FGCU) def. S. Tullis (BYU) 6-2, 6-3
4. J. Pearce (BYU) def. Escobar (FGCU) 6-0, 6-2
5. M. Pearce (BYU) def. Fernandez (FGCU) 6-1, 4-6, 6-1
6. Gajardo (BYU) def. Bates (FGCU) 6-4, 6-0

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

PROVO, Utah – BYU men’s tennis opens regular season play against UNC-Wilmington and Florida Gulf Coast University at the USTA National Campus in Orlando, Florida.

The Cougars face off against UNC-Wilmington on Saturday, Jan. 13, at 1 p.m. EST and Florida Gulf Coast University on Monday, Jan. 15, at 11 a.m. EST.

“We are starting off the season strong with an exciting trip to the new USTA National Campus, which is home to American tennis,” BYU head coach Brad Pearce said. “They have an incredible facility with 100 courts and a 12-court collegiate stadium. We are not easing into things with the tough competition the two teams will bring.”

BYU is coming off a successful fall preseason after competing in the Mountain Regional Tournament and the So Cal Intercollegiate. Senior John Pearce leads the Cougars with experience and match wins. Junior Jeffrey Hsu and sophomore Sean Hill transferred to BYU this season and will be strong assets to the team. Sophomore Sam Tullis and junior Matthew Pearce return, adding depth to the lineup.

Both UNC-Wilmington and Florida Gulf Coast University are opening regular season with BYU in Florida.

UNC-Wilmington

All nine players on the roster returned from last season bringing depth and experience to the lineup. The Cougars topped the Seahawks 6-0 in March 2011. 

Florida Gulf Coast University

Six players returned this season. Two freshman and two transfer players solidify the Eagle lineup. BYU and Florida Gulf Coast University have never played each other.

Both matches will be aired live on the USTA National Campus website. Scores will be updated on the men’s tennis schedule page as soon as matches are completed.