Netters open season with first day of classic

PROVO -- Recording victories in four of their five singles matches and one quarterfinal doubles victory, the BYU men’s tennis team opened fall play with a cloudy, drizzly Day 1 of the Utah Fall Tennis Classic.

“I think there were some bright spots and also some areas we can improve, as always,” said assistant coach Zack Warren. “Competitions like this are always a good gauge at the beginning of the season to see where we can improve. It’s a good motivator with important tournaments coming up.”

Thomas Shubert soundly defeated his first singles opponent of the tournament, winning every game of the match (6-0. 6-0). Evan Urbina also earned a straight-set victory, only dropping one game to his opponent (6-0, 6-1).

Shubert will take on Brad Weaver and Urbina will challenge Devin Lane, both of rival University of Utah. The matches will take place at 10 a.m. Friday.

Freshmen Patrick Kawka and Tyler Loong had positive results in their first matches as Cougars. Both Kawka and Loong won in the Round of 32, beating their opponents in two sets. Kawka goes on to play Utah’s Alejandro Medinilla and Loong plays Christopher Elsholz Friday morning.

Roman Warias, the only other Cougar participating in the event, lost his match (6-1, 6-3) to Utah’s Dmytro Mamedov.

In doubles, top-seeded Shubert and Urbina fell to Utes Matthew Cowley and Garrett Labarre in a tough 9-8 match with a 7-5 tiebreaker in the quarterfinals after having a bye in the Round of 16. Shubert and Urbina, behind by three games in the first part of the match, came back to take the lead 8-7 before the loss.

Kawka and Loong had more success, defeating their opponents 8-5. The pair will go on to play in the semifinals at 4 p.m. Friday.

The tournament continues Friday and Saturday, starting at 10 a.m. at the BYU Outdoor Tennis Courts.

Spectators may park in the “Y Lot” parking lot after 4 p.m. Friday and all day Saturday.

This event is sanctioned by the United States Tennis Association. The collegiate athletes do not represent their schools in this tournament, but participate as individuals.

To access tournament results and more information on the event, click here.