Broncos Rally for Win Over Air Force

Sunday, April 18

Boise, Idaho

12:00 p.m. MT

Boise State

Air Force

Photo by: Boise State University

4/18/2021 5:56:00 PM | Men's Tennis

Trailing 1-0 following doubles, Boise State rallied with four straight wins in singles to claim the MW team victory.

By: Courtesy: Boise State Athletics

BOISE, Idaho - Trailing 1-0 following doubles, Boise State's men's tennis team rallied with four straight singles victories to defeat the Air Force Falcons 4-2 in a Mountain West Conference match at Boise. After dropping the doubles point, Boise State rallied behind singles wins by Simon Arca Costas, Blake Bayldon, Kyryll Kryvchun and Wyatt DeMulling, respectively. DeMulling's win clinched it for the Broncos who improved to 16-3 overall and 4-2 in conference, while Air Force fell to 8-11 and 1-5.

"We knew it was going to be a battle against Air Force," said head coach Kristian Widen. "You knew coming in that they are a team that's going to fight, it's in their nature, that's what they do, that's what they learn over there and you know they do it well. They don't go away, they give you tough situations to deal with. I think our team handled it pretty well today. We did not come out the way we wanted to in doubles, but they (Air Force) were here to win this match."

"You know we came out a little bit sleepy today, but we really got it going and singles. I think we all won our first sets," said DeMulling. "Sometimes that's tennis, you're not playing your best, but then you figure it out and find a way to win. You know that's the part of this sport that's part of life. We figured out a way to win today so I'm proud of the team for that."

The Broncos opened the day a little slow dropping the doubles points 2-0 with losses on courts one and three.

Down one heading into singles, the Broncos wasted little time taking control with two quick wins on courts three and one, respectively. Arca Costas rolled to his 53rd career singles victory defeating Justin Waldman in straight sets 6-1, 6-1 on court three.

He was followed moments later by Bayldon at the No. 1 position who put away Air Force's top player Paul Hendrix in two sets 6-2, 6-1 to improve to 10-3 overall.

"It's never easy to play number one, I thought Blake did a phenomenal job today," said Widen. "That guy (Paul Hendrix) is a good player and he's pushed a lot of number ones in the country around. So, Blake winning by that margin is pretty incredible. I also feel like Kyryll is coming along, he struggled a little bit with his game today, but it was a big win for him and for his confidence."

Kryvchun put victory in sight for the Blue and Orange with his win on court two where he beat Robert Baylon 6-4, 7-5.

After Air Force pulled out a win on court four, Boise State's DeMulling clinched the team victory with a three set 6-4, 3-6, 6-3 win at No. 6 singles over Nick Vroman. The victory was DeMulling's team-high 63rd career win in singles.

The Broncos will close out the 2021 regular season campaign next Saturday at home when they host the Utah State Aggies at the Appleton Tennis Center.

Boise State 4, Air Force 2
4/18/2021 at Boise, Idaho (Appleton Tennis Center)

Singles competition
1. Blake Bayldon (BSU) def. Paul Hendrix (AF) 6-2, 6-1
2. Kyryll Kryvchun (BSU) def. Robert Baylon (AF) 6-4, 7-5
3. Simon Arca Costas (BSU) def. Justin Waldman (AF) 6-1, 6-1
4. Jonathan Mascagni (AF) def. Michael Bott (BSU) 7-6 (10-8), 6-3
5. Luka Soskic (BSU) vs. Sean McKendree (AF) 6-0, 6-7 (3-7), 3-2, unfinished
6. Wyatt DeMulling (BSU) def. Nick Vroman (AF) 6-4, 3-6, 6-3

Doubles competition
1. Paul Hendrix/Jamie Bautista (AF) def. Blake Bayldon/Michael Bott (BSU) 6-4
2. Lawrence Sciglitano/ Caden Moortgat (BSU) vs. Robert Baylon/Jordan Azuma (AF) 3-5 unfinished
3. Sean McKendree/Justin Waldman (AF) def. Simon Arca Costas/Lukas Ridemar (BSU) 6-2

Order of finish: Doubles (3,1); Singles (3,1,2,4,6)