BYU Hosts Denver in Third Straight Home Match

PROVO -- The No. 62 BYU men's tennis team has its chance to complete an undefeated homestand Friday at 6 p.m. against the University of Denver. The Cougars (4-5, 0-0) only play four home matches this season, and will hit the road again starting next week.

Carlos Lozano and Gert Vilms are the No. 6 doubles team in the nation with a 15-5 season record, including tournament matches. Sophomore Erik Nyman continues to improve and has won seven of his last nine matches.

"Erik has always had great groundstrokes, but now he's added a great attacking game when he gets his serves in," BYU head coach Jim Osborne said.

The Cougars will need to overcome injuries to stay undefeated on their home court. Vilms pulled a hamstring in the match against Portland and is questionable for this weekend's match. Also, Anton Rudjuk, who won both of his singles matches last weekend, cracked his ribs during practice this week. Rudjuk will not be able to play for at least the next two weeks, possibly more.

"It will be interesting to see how the team responds to the challenge," Osborne said. "We need to get stronger in the lower seeds and this might be our chance to do that."

The Pioneers are 4-6 entering Friday's match. They competed against Portland, who BYU defeated 5-2 last Saturday, earlier in the season and lost 4-3. The match will take place at the Smith Field House Tennis Courts.