TEMPE, Ariz. – The Penn State men's tennis team (7-6) earned its first win of the weekend in a dominant 4-1 victory over Idaho (4-7).
"Coaches across the country are constantly talking about how good the quality of tennis is in the collegiate ranks," said head coach Jeff Zinn. "Today was the same thing against a really good University of Idaho team. They gave us a good effort and we were lucky to survive in a couple of spots. I don't think we played as inspired as yesterday and that is on me! We need to come out stronger against a very good Tulane team that has beaten Alabama and Cal already this year. We have our hands full but that is what I wanted to do with this team. I believe they can handle a tough schedule and it will pay dividends in the upcoming Big Ten season."
"Guys did a great job today closing it out relatively quickly," said associate head coach Paul Tobin. "Winning the doubles point gave us the breathing room and confidence to finish up in singles. The guys are adjusting really well competing outside and it's a good indicator on what's to come down the road."
DOUBLES
Penn State earned the doubles point with wins on courts one and two.
Malik Bhatnagar and Charl Morgan defeated Francisco Bascon and Bruno Casino in a 6-2 decision. On court two, Alexander Karman and Bora Sengul bested Matteo Masala and Alex Asenov 6-4.
Partner's Loren Byers and Sam Bossem were up 5-2 on Idaho's Francisco Gay and Mario Duron Garza at No. 3 before the Nittany Lions clinched.
SINGLES
Wins on courts one, four, and six sealed the deal for the Nittany Lions over the Idaho Vandals on Saturday afternoon.
Morgan grabbed Penn State's first singles point of the match, cruising past Vivek Ramesh with a 6-1, 6-0 victory. At No. 1, Bhatnagar took down Gay in straight sets, 6-3, 6-4. Byers clinched the match for the Nittany Lions in a 7-6 (3), 6-4 decision over Idaho's Masala.
RESULTS
Penn State 4, Idaho 1
Doubles Results
-
Malik Bhatnagar/Charl Morgan (PSU) def. Francisco Bascon/Bruno Casino (ID) 6-2
-
Alexander Karman/Bora Sengul (PSU) def. Matteo Masala/Alex Asenov (ID) 6-4
-
Loren Byers/Sam Bossem (PSU) vs. Francisco Gay/Mario Duron Garza (ID) 5-2, unfinished
Order of finish: 1, 2
Singles Results
-
Malik Bhatnagar (PSU) def. Francisco Gay (ID) 6-3, 6-4
-
Miko Eala (PSU) vs. Francisco Bascon (ID) 7-5, 3-4, unfinished
-
Bora Sengul (PSU) vs. Bruno Casino (ID) 6-7 (10), 1-2, unfinished
-
Loren Byers (PSU) def. Matteo Masala (ID) 7-6 (3), 6-4
-
Mario Duron Garza (ID) def. Sam Bossem (PSU) 6-3, 6-2
-
Charl Morgan (PSU) def. Vivek Ramesh (ID) 6-1, 6-0
Order of finish: 6, 5, 1, 4
UP NEXT
Penn State will take #62 Tulane in the consolation finals on Sunday, March 13 at 11:30 a.m.
Check GoPSUSports.com for coverage of the Penn State men's tennis team during the season. Follow the team on Twitter @pennstateMTEN, Instagram @pennstatemtennis and on Facebook at facebook.com/pennstatemenstennis.