Huskers Upset No. 23 BYU for Seventh Straight Win

Provo, Utah---A day after taking down No. 65 Oregon, the No. 36 Nebraska men's tennis team extended its current winning streak to seven matches by upsetting the No. 23 BYU Cougars on Saturday, March 13 at the BYU Tennis Complex. The win over the Cougars marks the fourth ranked opponent NU has beaten this season and the second ranked inside the top 40 improving its' overall record to 10-3. Playing in front of the largest crowd NU has seen this season, the Huskers faced a tall task in defeating the Cougars, who had not lost a home match since April 12, 2008, a span that stretched 14 matches.

"I think our guys played with a lot of poise and determination today," head coach Kerry McDermott said after Saturday's match. "We stepped our game up to another level. I think they are starting to understand what it means to wear that "N" on their uniforms. It's all about the team to them and they have to continue with that mindset."

After No. 54 David Bendheim and Calin Paar (NU) fell to Cassidy Mears and Thomas Shubert (BYU) at the No. 1 doubles spot, the Huskers were able to clinch the doubles point by taking the No. 2 and 3 matches. At the No. 2 spot, Christopher Aumueller and Andre Stenger (NU) defeated Spencer Smith and Evan Urbina (BYU) 8-5 for the Huskers first victory. Leading 7-6 and serving for the match and doubles point, Francois Van Impe and Benedikt Lindheim were able to hold serve and defeat Georgy Batrakov and Daniel Hwang (BYU) 8-6 to give the Huskers a 1-0 edge heading into singles play.

"Francois (Van Impe) and Benedikt (Lindheim) did a great job in their match," McDermott said. "They handled the crowd very well and won a very important doubles point for us."

In singles, No. 113 Aumueller (NU) wasted no time in his match defeating Shubert (BYU) 6-3, 6-2, at the No. 1 position to get the Huskers their second point. Bendheim (NU) took down Batrakov (BYU) at the No. 4 position, while No. 82 Paar (NU) defeated Urbina (BYU) in three sets 6-4, 4-6, 6-1, at the No. 2 position to give NU the fourth and deciding point.

NU was equally impressive at the bottom of the lineup where Stenger (NU) and Lindheim (NU) defeated both of their opponents in straight sets. NU's only loss came at the No. 3 position where Van Impe (NU) dropped only his second match of the season to Mears (BYU) 6-3, 7-6 (3).

"We played outstanding singles today," McDermott said. "It was a great match for us, but we have to keep improving and get ready for our match against Utah on Sunday."

The Huskers will look for the weekend sweep on Sunday, March 14, when they take on the Utah Utes in Salt Lake City, Utah. First serve is set for 11 a.m.

Full Results
NU 6, BYU 1
Doubles
1. Mears/ Shubert (BYU) def. No. 54 Bendheim/Paar (NU) 8-2
2. Aumueller/Stenger (NU) def. Smith/Urbina (BYU) 8-5
3. Lindheim/Van Impe (NU) def. Batrakov/Hwang (BYU) 8-6

Singles
1. No. 113 Christopher Aumueller (NU) def. Thomas Shubert (BYU) 6-3, 6-2
2. No. 82 Calin Paar (NU) def. Evan Urbina (BYU) 6-4, 4-6, 6-1
3. Cassidy Mears (BYU) def. Francois Van Impe (NU) 6-3, 7-6 (3)
4. David Bendheim (NU) def. Georgy Batrakov (BYU) 7-5, 6-0
5. Benedikt Lindheim (NU) def. Spencer Smith (BYU) 7-6 (4), 6-3
6. Andre Stenger (NU) def. Michael Eraso (BYU) 6-3, 7-6 (4)
Order of Finish: Doubles (1, 2, 3) Singles (1, 4, 2, 3, 5, 6)