Broncos Rally Past Indiana for 4-3 Win

Wednesday, February 19

Boise, Idaho

5 p.m. MT

Boise State

Indiana

Carson Baker returns a fore hand shot against Michigan State on Feb. 9, 2025.

2/19/2025 10:27:00 PM | Men's Tennis

Box Score

By: Courtesy: Boise State Athletics

BOISE, Idaho – Boise State men's tennis rallied from a 3-1 deficit to defeat their second Big Ten team by a 4-3 score this year in the Indiana Hoosiers. Carson Baker fought through three tiebreakers at No. 2 singles to clinch the Broncos seventh-consecutive victory as they improved to 7-1 overall while handing Indiana (9-1) its first loss.

Boise State dropped the doubles point to Indiana 2-1, with Taiyo Kurata and Julius Seifert providing the lone win on court two by a 6-4 score.

Down one, Jett Middleton brought Boise State even with a quick straight-set victory, 6-1, 6-3, over Jip van Assendelft for IU at No. 1 singles.

Trailing 3-1, Boise State's James Van Herzeele cut the deficit to one when he won in three sets 7-6(2), 4-6, 6-3.

Lukas Velik tied the match at 3-3 with a three-set come-from-behind victory. Trailing 4-1 in the third set, Velik stormed back, winning five straight games to win the set and his match 5-7, 6-4, 6-4 to keep Boise State alive in the contest.

That left No. 2 singles to decide the match. Carson Baker and IU's Deacon Thomas battled through three tiebreaker sets before it was won by Baker 7-6(3), 6-7(7), 7-6(6) to clinch the win for the Blue and Orange.

Notables

Jett Middleton won his 11th singles match of the year and is now 4-2 at No. 1 singles this spring.
Taiyo Kurata and Julius Seifert are now 2-1 at No. 2 doubles.
James Van Herzeele won his 67th career singles match…he is undefeated this spring, going 5-0.
Lukas Velik recorded his 13th singles win of the year.
Carson Baker recorded his 14th singles victory of the season.
The win gives Boise State a slim 2-1 advantage in the all-time series.
It was the fourth-straight win by a 4-3 score.
The match lasted 4:29:00.

Quotables

Luke Shields, head coach

"Another great team effort. We had almost every guy contribute tonight. We are finding ways to accomplish the task in front of us. Our hard work is paying off."
"Great individual performances by Jett being really disciplined and getting off the court first. Then we had to really dig. Indiana was undefeated for a reason. They are a really good team and they built a 3-1 lead. Our guys kept their composure."
"James (Van Herzeele) got some momentum going by taking care of business in the third."
"It was good to see Lukas get the energy needed and play lights out after being down 1-4 in the third."
"Carson came through clutch again after fighting through some nerves. He kept his composure and got to the finish line. This team is special."