Men's Tennis Downs Sacramento State 4-2

Sunday, March 2

Las Cruces, N.M.

10:00 AM

University of Utah

Sacramento State

3/3/2008 12:00 AM | Men's Tennis

March 3, 2008

LAS CRUCES, N.M. - The University of Utah played Sacramento State on Sunday for a 4-2 victory. The weather wasn't ideal for the tennis match, so doubles play was canceled, but the Utes still stepped up and recover from the day before to take the win.

At the No. 3 slot, Wes Hancock took on Arthur Klimenka from the Hornets. The Ute earned the first set 6-3 before shutting Klimenka down in the second set 6-0 for the win. Stepping in at the No. 6 spot, Amit Maharaj faced Konan Canton. The two played for a 6-2, 6-2 straight set win in the Ute's favor.

Miron Mann and Othman Zerouali-Ouariti had a tough day adjusting on Sunday against the Hornets. Mann fell 6-0, 6-2 at the No. 1 spot to Kiryl Harbutsiuk. Zerouali-Ouariti took on Anton Stryahs at the No. 2 spot for a 6-4, 6-2 loss.

With the match tied, Jason Smits and Stephen Jacobs were needed to step up for the team. Jacobs, a freshman, took on Sven Rueff from Sacramento State at the No. 5 spot. The two battle hard against one another in the first set. The Ute finally broke Rueff 7-6(8) and had an easier time working over the Hornet in the second set. Jacobs stepped up to win 7-6(8), 6-3 to give the Utes a 3-2 lead.

The victory was clinched by Smits at the No. 4 spot. The Ute faced Holden Ching for a three set battle. Smits couldn't quite keep up in the first set, falling 7-5 to the Hornet. The Ute changed his game plan to dominate the next two sets over Chinge to take the win 5-7, 6-2, 6-1.

Quote from Assistant Coach Roeland Brateanu:
"The team played a good match outdoors on Sunday and competed very well, defeating a good Sacramento State team. We were short handed without Zach Ganger as he was suspended for violating team rules. Despite not having Zach in our line up, the team picked up the slack and found a way to win. We are looking forward to playing Montana State at home this Saturday."

COMING UP:
The University of Utah men's tennis team will host Montana State at Eccles Tennis Center on Saturday at 12:30 p.m.

Utah 4, Sacramento State 2Singles:1. Kiryl Harbutsiuk (Sacramento) def. Miron Mann (Utah);  6-0, 6-22. Anton Stryahs (Sacramento) def. Othman Zerouali-Ouariti (Utah); 6-4, 6-23. Wes Hancock (Utah) def. Arthur Klimenka (Sacramento); 6-3, 6-04. Jason Smits (Utah) def. Holden Ching (Sacramento); 5-7, 6-2, 6-15. Stephen Jacobs (Utah) def. Sven Rueff (Sacramento); 7-6(8), 6-36. Amit Maharaj (Utah) def. Konan Canton (Sacramento); 6-2, 6-2