LOGAN, Utah — Utah State men's tennis swept Eastern Washington, 7-0, on Friday in the team's home-opener at the Sports Academy & Racquet Club.
Within moments of each other, seniors Bodin Zarkovic and Roko Savin won the set at the first doubles position while senior Jack Ninteman and sophomore Sergi Micó Fenollar took the third doubles position set earning the first point for the Aggies. Senior Javier Ruiz and freshman Nuno Pinheiro's match was left unfinished with the pair ahead 5-1 in the No. 2 slot.
The momentum carried into singles play as Zarkovic and Paardekooper took their matches in consecutive sets at the first and second positions giving the Aggies a 3-0 lead.
"It was a great experience, the crowd, and being with my teammates on the court here." Paardekooper said, "We have a different concept with four courts, but now we have people upstairs cheering us on so that was a really good experience."
On court three, Savin clinched the first Aggie win of the dual match season by outscoring his opponent 6-2, 6-4 to move Utah State's record to 1-2.
Pinheiro extended USU's margin to 5-0 after posting a 6-3, 3-6, 6-3 win at the No. 4 spot. Pinheiro's match was the only match to go all three sets on the day.
"Getting momentum is key. When you feel good you have so much more confidence and you can produce so much more. Hopefully we can keep going like this and get the win tomorrow." Said Paardekooper.
The Aggies' perfect score continued as Ruiz only allowed his opponent to score a single point in each set as part of a straight-sets win at the fifth position. Christian Holmes completed the sweep with a 6-2, 6-3 victory at the No. 6-spot.
"My freshman year we clinched against Grand Canyon on this court, and then I took two years off and I went on my mission. It's good to be back, it's good to be on this court, he (Aaron Paajanen) says I've never lost on (court one), so let's keep this streak going." Holmes said.
Utah State returns to the Sports Academy & Racquet Club tomorrow on Saturday, Feb. 4, to host Grand Canyon at 12 p.m. (MT).
Fans can follow 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.
Utah State 7, Eastern Washington 0
Logan, Utah
RESULTS
Doubles
1. Bodin Zarkovic/Roko Savin (USU) def. Erik Sarlvik/Caden Kammerer (EWU) 6-1
2. Nuno Pinheiro/Javier Ruiz (USU) vs. Steven Paz/ Bruno Ortega (EWU) 5-1 unfinished
3. Sergi Micó Fenollar/Jack Ninteman (USU) def. Brady Thomas/Tyler Dalos (EWU) 6-1
Singles
1. Zarkovic (USU) def. Paz (EWU) 6-2, 6-1
2. Paardekooper (USU) def. Kammerer (EWU) 6-2, 6-1
3. Savin (USU) def. Sarlvik (EWU) 6-2, 6-4
4. Pinheiro (USU) def. Dalos (EWU) 6-3, 3-6, 6-3
5. Ruiz (USU) def. Ortega (EWU) 6-1, 6-0
6. Holmes (USU) def. Dillon (EWU) 6-2, 6-3
Match Notes
Utah State: 1-2 (0-0 MW)
Eastern Washington: 1-2 (0-0 Big Sky)
Order of finish: Doubles (1,3); Singles (2,1,3,4,5,6)
- USU -
