Men's Tennis Pull It Off - The Official Athletic Site of the University of Utah

Men's Tennis Pull It Off
Utes defeat Rebels 4-3 in MWC Tourney

Freshman Wes Hancock came through for the Utes at No. 4 singles to win the match against UNLV.

April 28, 2006

SAN DIEGO, Calif. - The University of Utah men's tennis team pulled off a win against fifth-seeded UNLV Thursday in San Diego, Calif. during the first round of the MWC Tournament. After getting rained out on Wednesday night during doubles play, UNLV led 1-0 with the doubles point. Returning to competition on Thursday, the Utes came back to win the match 4-3.

The meeting between the Utes and Rebels was originally supposed to be played Wednesday at 3:00 p.m., but due to rain in San Diego, competition started at 8:10 p.m. Pacific Time. Competition during doubles play was interrupted an hour later and was postponed to Thursday due to the continuing bad weather. The two doubles matches that were completed were won by UNLV, leaving the Utes to sleep on a 0-1 disadvantage.

Returning for singles play on Thursday, the Utes fell at the No. 2 spot to Elliot Wronski, and at the No. 5 spot to Jonathan Hooper. With the 0-3 deficit, the Utes had to step it up... and they did. Sophomore Zach Ganger won his match against UNLV's top player Joel Kielbowicz at the No. 1 spot. The two played three sets for a 4-6, 6-3, 6-4 win in Ganger's favor.

Senior Nick Coutts played Rebel senior Romain Massaro at No. 3 singles. The first set was played on Wednesday night leaving Coutts with a 6-1 lead. Coming back on Thursday, the two played the second and final set for a 6-1, 6-2 win for Coutts. Junior Ryan Scott played at No. 6 singles against Wesley Burrows of UNLV. Playing two sets, Scott made a 7-6, 6-2 victory over Burrows.

The winning decision came from freshman Wes Hancock at No. 4 singles against UNLV's Brett Hunter. Hunter won the first set 6-3, but was answered back by Hancock with a 6-3 win at the end of the second set. The third set tie breaker was won by Hancock 7-6(3) to win the match and give Utah the win over the Rebels. "Wes played an excellent match today and it is great to see a freshman come through in the clutch for the team," says Assistant Coach Graeme Cox of Hancock.

Quote from Cox on the Utes:
"Our team fought UNLV through rain delays over the course of two days to pull out a come-from- behind victory. This was a match that we were never winning and came behind from a 0-3 deficit to win. It showed a lot of character from our team to concentrate and fight against the odds."

MWC TENNIS CHAMPIONSHIPS
Utah 4, UNLV 3

Singles
1. Zach Ganger (Utah) def. Joel Kielbowicz (UNLV); 4-6, 6-3, 6-4
2. Elliot Wronski (UNLV) def. Tomasz Grzyb (Utah); 6-2, 6-2
3. Nick Coutts (Utah) def. Romain Massaro (UNLV); 6-1, 6-2
4. Wes Hancock (Utah) def. Brett Hunter (UNLV); 3-6, 6-3, 7-6 (3)
5. Jonathon Hooper (UNLV) def. Jason Yap (Utah); 6-1, 6-2
6. Ryan Scott (Utah) def. Wesley Burrows (UNLV); 7-6 (7), 6-2

Doubles:
1. Joel Kielbowicz/Brett Hunter (UNLV) vs. Zach Ganger/Nick Coutts (Utah); 6-6 (DNF)
2. Elliot Wronski/Jonathan Hooper (UNLV) def. Jason Yap/Tomasz Grzyb (Utah); 8-3
3. Romain Massaro/Wes Burrows (UNLV) def. Dan Mascall/Dan Hancock (Utah); 8-3