Netters Get Set For First Round of NCAAs

PROVO, Utah -- The No. 35 BYU men’s tennis team caps off its successful season with an appearance in the first round of the NCAA Tournament, taking on No. 31 San Diego in Los Angeles, Friday at 11 a.m.

The winner of the match will play the winner of the match between No. 2 USC and Sacramento State Saturday at noon. The other first-round match begins at 2 p.m. Friday.

The Cougars went 21-5 overall and 6-0 in conference, culminating the season with their first Mountain West Conference Tournament title in 10 years. The team went undefeated for almost two months during the regular season for a 14-match winning streak.

No. 112 Patrick Kawka was named MWC Freshman of the Year for a 31-9 singles record and 6-0 conference record. Junior Georgy Batrakov led the Cougars with a 22-3 singles record, including a 17-match winning streak, and a 14-3 doubles record with Thomas Shubert. Batrakov was named to the All-MWC singles and doubles teams for his season performance.

Future West Coast Conference opponent San Diego jumped to the top of the WCC this season, finishing first in the conference championships. The Toreros recorded 18 wins and six losses, with a 3-1 record in conference. No. 33 Dean Jackson will represent San Diego in the individual NCAA Tournament in singles and doubles with partner Patrick Pohlmann later this month. The duo is ranked No. 16.

In February, the Cougars fell 6-1 to the Toreros, who were unranked at the time.

For the team that wins Saturday’s match, the next round will be held at Stanford May 19.