PROVO, Utah – After a late-night match Friday, the No. 50 BYU men’s tennis team earned its second victory in as many nights, topping regional opponent No. 52 Denver 5-1 on Saturday evening at the BYU Indoor Tennis Courts.

“It was a great team win over another ranked opponent,” head coach Brad Pearce said. “This match was important to us and I’m proud of how our guys fought.”

The Cougars (9-2) improved their record to 4-2 against ranked teams.

The competition proved to be well balanced as three singles matches went to three sets.

BYU started off with a doubles win as teammates and No. 59-ranked Patrick Kawka and Francis Sargeant defeated Enej Bonin and Max Krammer 8-5. But Denver answered with a doubles win of their own as Travis Fillmore and Spencer Smith fell short.

On Court 3, sophomore Keaton Cullimore and freshman John Pearce played a match that went down to the wire. The BYU duo eventually pulled out the 8-7 (7) victory to give BYU the first point of the night.

With that win, the Cougars’ momentum carried into singles play. On Court 2, Smith defeated Jens Vorkefled in straight sets 6-4, 7-6 (4) to put another point on the board for BYU.

On Court 1, No. 74 Kawka came from behind to upset No. 47 Bonin 6-7 (4), 6-1, 6-0. Then Sargeant clinched the BYU win as he squeaked past Krammer 6-3, 4-6, 6-2.

“I though Spencer’s win was the key match,” coach Pearce said. “I think that took a lot of the fight out of [Denver].”

BYU hosts in-state rival Utah next Saturday at 5:30 p.m. MST at the BYU Indoor Tennis Courts.

Doubles

1. Kawka/Sargeant (BYU) def.  Bonin/Krammer (DEN) 8-5

2.  Craig/Vorkefeld (DEN) def. Fillmore/Smith (BYU) 8-5

3. Cullimore/Pearce (BYU) def. Clinkenbeard/Biasion (DEN) 8-7(7)

Order of finish: 1, 2, 3

Singles

1. Patrick Kawka (BYU) def. Enej Bonin (DEN) 6-7 (4), 6-1, 6-0

2. Spencer Smith (BYU) def. Jens Vorkefeld (DEN) 6-4, 7-6 (4)

3. Francis Sargeant (BYU) def. Max Krammer (DEN) 6-3, 4-6, 6-2

4. Henry Craig (DEN) def. Keaton Cullimore (BYU) 6-3, 2-6, 7-6 (5)

5. Andrey Goryachkov (BYU) vs Alex Clinkenbeard (DEN) 2-3 (DNF)

6. John Pearce (BYU) def. Fabio Biasion 2-1 (Ret.)

Order of finish: 2, 1, 3, 4, 6

PROVO, Utah – Following a thrilling 4-3 victory last Saturday, the No. 50 BYU men’s tennis team plays back-to-back matches at home this weekend against the UNLV Rebels and the No. 52 Denver Pioneers.

The Cougars (7-2) host the Rebels (5-0) on Friday at 5:30 p.m. MST. Then the Pioneers (2-2) will come to play the same time on Saturday.

With his recent victory over No. 65 John Lamble, Patrick Kawka earned a No. 74 national ranking, the Intercollegiate Tennis Assocation announced Wednesday. The junior from Las Vegas is the first Cougar to be ranked this year.

Kawka and his doubles partner Francis Sargeant also received a No. 59 ranking in doubles play for their 6-3 record this season.

UNLV has not lost this year, most recently it defeated UC Riverside 7-0. This will be the Rebels first road match of the season.

Denver features No. 47 Enej Bonin at the No. 1 singles position. The Cougars own a 9-3 advantage all-time against the Pioneers.

As always at home matches, pizza and prizes will be provided. Spectators may park in the “Y Lot” parking lots to the northwest and southwest of the courts after 4 p.m. Admission is free.