USAFA, Colorado — Utah State men's tennis lost, 4-2, at Air Force on Thursday. The loss drops USU to 3-2 in Mountain West action and 9-11 overall on the season.
The Falcons took the early lead in the match by securing the doubles point with two 6-3 victories at the first and second positions. Senior Felipe Acosta and freshman Sergi Mico Fenollar were ahead, 4-3, at the No. 3s before the match was suspended.
The Aggies made the first move in singles play as junior Javier Ruiz tied the match at 1-1 with a 6-0, 4-6, 6-0 win at the sixth position. After Air Force again took the lead with a win at the No. 5s, Acosta again evened things up with a win at the fourth spot, 6-3, 3-6, 6-2.
A third-set tiebreak at the third position then broke for Air Force before another third-set win at the No. 2s clinched the match for the Falcons. At the top spot of singles, junior Bodin Zarkovic was tied at one set apiece, with both sides winning a tiebreak in the first two sets, entering the final frame.
With the loss, the Aggies dropped into a tie for second place in the conference at 3-2 alongside San Diego State and New Mexico.
Utah State will conclude its regular season schedule on Saturday, at 2 p.m. (MT), when it takes on New Mexico in Albuquerque.
Fans can follow the USU's men's tennis team on Twitter @USUMensTennis, on Facebook at /UtahStateMensTennis or on Instagram at USUMensTennis. Aggie fans can also follow the Utah State athletic program on Twitter, @USUAthletics, Facebook at /USUAthletics and on Instagram, @USUAthletics.
RESULTS
Utah State 2, Air Force 4
USAFA, Colorado
Doubles
1. Robert Baylor/Jordan Azuma (AFA) def. David Cierny/Bodin Zarkovic (USU) 6-3
2. Arjun Kersten/Johnny Mascagni (AFA) def. Jack Ninteman/Javier Ruiz (USU) 6-3
3. Felipe Acosta/Sergi Mico Fenollar (USU) vs. Justin Waldman/Nick Vroman (AFA) 4-3, unfinished
Singles
1. Zarkovic (USU) vs. Baylon (AFA) 6-7 (3), 7-6 (6), unfinished
2. Mascagni (AFA) def. Cierny (USU) 6-7, 6-1, 6-4
3. Kersten (AFA) def. Mico Fenollar (USU) 6-4, 2-6, 7-6 (2)
4. Acosta (USU) def. Vroman (AFA) 6-3, 3-6, 6-2
5. Waldman (AFA) def. Roko Savin (USU) 6-2, 6-4
6. Ruiz (USU) def. Brian Garcia (AFA) 6-0, 4-6, 6-0
Match Notes
Utah State: 9-11 (3-2 MW)
Air Force: 13-8 (3-3 MW)
Order of Finish - Doubles (1,2); Singles (6,5,4,3,2)
- USU -
