Utah Statesman Article (Oldham)

By: Chet Gardner

Aggies Smash Bengals

The USU men’s tennis team beat Idaho State 6-1 on Thursday afternoon in Pocatello. The Aggies improved to 1-3 on the season, while the Bengals fell to 0-1.

The impressive win was led by freshman Jordan Barlow who swept David Kutchins of Idaho State in a 6-0, 6-0, match at number-six singles. Junior Amit Maharj won a hard fought battle at number-two singles, defeating Idaho State's Danel Barrenchea, 7-6 (7-5), 3-6, 6-4. Bryan Marchant made quick work of ISU’s Ross Dechant, winning in straight sets 6-1, 6-1, for the number-three singles and teammate Alex Thatcher, junior, did the same to the Bengals’ Dan Buckingham winning 6-2, 6-3, in the number-five slot. Senior Mike Banks battled it out with Alex Buceta and won at the number-four singles, 4-6, 6-2, 6-3

As for the doubles matches, it was the same story as the singles. The Aggies dominated in winning at all three spots. The closest match on the doubles side came at the number-two spot as USU’s Amit Mahraj and Alex Thatcher played hard and beat Idaho State's Danel Barrenechea and Alex Buceta 9-8, 12-10. Sophomores Jakob Asplund and Bryan Marchant won easily against the Bengals' Javier Royo and Ross Dechant, 8-2 at number-one singles while USU’s Banks and Barlow followed suit with a convincing 8-0 win against Dan Buckingham and Dan Kutchins of the Bengals.

The Aggies were coming off a ten day span of not playing and were ready to play. They will be looking to have that same energy next time as the Aggies will now have an even longer layoff until the next match. It is set for Friday, Feb. 13 at 1 p.m. at the Sports Academy and Racquet Club. They will play host to Montana State-Billings.

-chet.gardner@aggiemail.usu.edu