BOISE, Idaho ? The University of Idaho men's tennis team lost a tight match against Utah 4-3 in Boise on Friday night.
The Vandals took Utah, who fell out of the national rankings this week but had been ranked No. 68 last week, to the wire but were unable to pull out the victory.
“It was a very close match and one that could have gone either way,” University of Idaho director of tennis Jeff Beaman said. “This is a missed opportunity for us to beat a very strong team and build some momentum.”
Idaho was successful in singles match with Artem Kuznetsov, Alexandru Joitoiu and Rob Chalkley picking up wins. Kuznetsov and Chalkley each grinded out three-set victories in the No. 1 and No. 3 positions respectively to keep the Vandals in the match.
“We did some things well against Utah but we had a lot of chances to win this match,” Beaman said. “We need to take the next step and close out matches when we have the chance.”
Alan Shin/Stanislav Glukhov won their No. 3 doubles match but Idaho lost two close doubles matches in the No. 1 and No. 2 postions. Shin, Glukhov and Tim Huynh were unable to find success in their singles matches.
“We are just not tough enough yet,” Beaman said. “The team needs to be playing at a higher level in order for us to start winning games like this.”
The loss drops Idaho to 7-4 on the season. The Vandals square off against Boise State on Saturday in their second match in conference play.
University of Utah 4, University of Idaho 3
Singles competition
1. Artem Kuznetsov (IDAHO) def. Wes Hancock (UTAH) 2-6, 6-4, 6-1
2. Phillip Eilers (UTAH) def. Stanislav Glukhov (IDAHO) 6-4, 6-3
3. Alexandru Joitoiu (IDAHO) def. John Taylor (UTAH) 6-1, 6-3
4. Robert Chalkley (IDAHO) def. Benito Suriano (UTAH) 5-2, 3-6, 10-5
5. Jason Smits (UTAH) def. Timothy Huynh (IDAHO) 6-4, 6-3
6. Timmy Allin (UTAH) def. Alan Shin (IDAHO) 6-4, 7-5
Doubles competition
1. Wes Hancock/Phillip Eilers (UTAH) def. Artem Kuznetsov/Alexandru
Joitoiu (IDAHO) 8-4
2. John Taylor/Timmy Allin (UTAH) def. Robert Chalkley/Timothy Huynh
(IDAHO) 8-5
3. Alan Shin/Stanislav Glukhov (IDAHO) def. Stephen Jacobs/Benito
Suriano (UTAH) 8-6
