SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – In their final match of the regular season, the University of Utah men's tennis team was able to card a 4-2 victory against the Arizona Wildcats earlier today. With this victory, the Utah men's tennis team now has an overall record of 16-9 heading into the Pac-12 Tournament.
Â
With the Utes up 3-2, senior
Parker McGuiness was able to finish off things for Utah, completing his match with a magical finish. A victory hung in the balance and McGuiness was able to defeat Oliver Plaskett at the No. 5 position with a final score of 6-4, 7-6, finishing up his final regular season match as a Ute in style.
McGuiness attended North Carolina State his freshman year and joined the Utes in the fall of 2014 becoming a staple in the starting lineup. In his three seasons as a Ute, he has earned almost 50 career wins, a Pac-12 Player of the Week nod and the 2015 Team MVP award. After completing his final season as a Ute, he will earn a degree in Business Marketing.
Â
In doubles play, the Utes were able to earn the point, putting them up 1-0 early in the competition. At the No. 3 position in doubles,
Santiago Sierra and
Joe Woolley dominated Shoti Meparidze and Andres Reyes of Arizona, defeating them, 6-1. Then to seal the doubles point,
Dan Little and
Parker McGuiness were victorious against Trent Botha and Shoki Kasahara on the No. 2 court, with a final score of 6-3.
Â
In singles action,
Santiago Sierra fell to Trent Brotha at court No. 3, 6-3, 6-0, and
Egbert Weverink fell to Andres Reyes, 6-3, 7-5, at the No. 6 position. With this, the Wildcats then jumped on top of the Utes with a score of 2-1.
The Utes began to pick up steam again, with
David Micevski getting the first Utah victory in singles. Micevski was able to defeat Will Kneale 6-3, 6-1, at the No. 1 spot, to tie things back up at 2-2. Shortly after,
Slava Shainyan completed a dominant victory over Arizona's Shoki Kasahara, with a final score of 7-5, 6-0, at the No. 4 position.
Â
The Utes will be back in action Wednesday in the Pac-12 Tournament. All signs point to a meeting against a famili--ar foe, Washington, a team the Utes have faced in the last two conference championships.
Â
Utah 4, Arizona 2
Singles competition
Â
1.
David Micevski (UTAH) def. Will Kneale (UA) 6-3, 6-1
2.
Dan Little (UTAH) vs. Shoti Meparidze (UA) 7-6, 2-5, unfinished
3. Trent Botha (UA) def.
Santiago Sierra (UTAH) 6-3, 6-0
4.
Slava Shainyan (UTAH) def. Shoki Kasahara (UA) 7-5, 6-0
5.
Parker McGuiness (UTAH) def. Oliver Plaskett (UA) 6-4, 7-6
6. Andres Reyes (UA) def.
Egbert Weverink (UTAH) 6-3, 7-5
Â
Doubles competition
Â
1.
Egbert Weverink/
David Micevski (UTAH) vs. Oliver Plaskett/Will Kneale (UA) 3-3, unfinished
2.
Dan Little/
Parker McGuiness (UTAH) def. Trent Botha/Shoki Kasahara (UA) 6-3
3.
Santiago Sierra/
Joe Woolley (UTAH) def. Shoti Meparidze/Andres Reyes (UA) 6-1
Â
Match Notes:
Â
Order of finish: Doubles (3,2); Singles (3,6,1,4,5)
Â