Huskers Beat Utah, Finish Weekend 3-0

Salt Lake City, Utah--- The Nebraska men's tennis team won for the third time this weekend taking down the Utah Utes, 4-3, on Sunday, March 14, at the Eccles Tennis Center in Salt Lake City, Utah. The Huskers improved their record to 11-3 on the season, while extending their winning streak to eight matches. Utah fell to 4-8 with the loss.

The Huskers didn't get off to the start they were looking for falling in all three doubles matches for the first time this season. No. 54 David Bendheim and Calin Paar (NU) fell for the second straight match at the No.1 spot to Phillip Eilers and Alex Golding (Utah) 8-3, while Francois Van Impe and Benedikt Lindheim (NU) were defeated by Benito Suriano and Stephen Jacobs (Utah) at the No. 3 spot to decide the doubles point.

"We came out flat in doubles and didn't move our feet at all," head coach Kerry McDermott said. "It looked like we were playing in quick sand. I was very disappointed with that, but you have to give Utah credit. They played with great energy. They broke us early in each match and gained the momentum.'

After dropping the doubles point, NU wasted no time in singles regaining the lead by winning the first three matches. No. 82 Paar (NU) sprinted to a victory taking down Jason Smits (Utah) 6-4, 6-4, at the No. 2 spot, while Lindheim continued his hot play by defeating Dmytro Mamedov (Utah) in straight sets 6-2, 6-3, at the No. 5 spot. NU took a 3-1 lead after Bendheim defeated Golding (Utah) at the No. 3 spot 7-6, 6-2.

"Calin (Paar) and Benedikt (Lindheim) did a great job in getting off to fast starts," McDermott said. "They kind of set the tone for our guys and got momentum back on our side."

At the No. 1 spot, No. 113 Aumueller (NU) fell to Phillip Eilers 6-4, 6-4, but the Huskers were able to clinch the match at the No. 6 spot where Andre Stenger (NU) took down Jacobs (Utah) 7-5, 7-5. Van Impe (NU) was the only other Husker to be defeated falling at the No. 4 spot to Timmy Allin (Utah). While coach McDermott wasn't pleased with the way the Huskers played out of the gate in doubles, he thinks the Huskers proved they are becoming more mentally tough.

"We prevailed with mental toughness and I think we wanted it a little bit more than Utah," McDermott said. "It wasn't a very pretty match, but we did what we had to do to win. That's what championship teams do. It was great to go 3-0 on the weekend, but we still have room to improve."

The Huskers return to action on Wednesday, March 17, when they go on the road to face No. 21 Virginia Tech. First serve is set for 2 p.m.

Full Results
NEB 4, UTAH 3
Singles
1. Phillip Eilers (UTAH) def. #113 Chris Aumueller (NEB) 6-4, 6-4
2. #82 Calin Paar (NEB) def. Jason Smits (UTAH) 6-4, 6-1
3. David Bendheim (NEB) def. Alex Golding (UTAH) 7-6 (7-3), 6-2
4. Timmy Allin (UTAH) def. Francois Van Impe (NEB) 7-6 (7-6), 7-6 (7-5)
5. Benedikt Lindheim (NEB) def. Dmytro Mamedov (UTAH) 6-2, 6-3
6. Andre Stenger (NEB) def. Stephen Jacobs (UTAH) 7-5, 7-5

Doubles
1. Phillip Eilers/Alex Golding (UTAH) def. #54 Calin Paar/David Bendheim (NEB) 8-3
2. Timmy Allin/Jason Smits (UTAH) def. Chris Aumueller/Andre Stenger (NEB) 8-6
3. Benito Suriano/Stephen Jacobs (UTAH) def. Francois Van Impe/Benedikt Lindheim (NEB) 8-4
Order of finish: Doubles (1,3,2); Singles (2,5,3,1,6,4)