MONTGOMERY, Ala. The No. 22-ranked Boise State men’s tennis team could not hold off the local’ team of the Blue Gray Tennis Classic, falling 4-0 in the semifinals to No. 24-ranked Alabama on Saturday afternoon. With the loss, the Broncos end their trip through the tournament with a 2-1 record, matching their 2008 record at the Blue Gray Classic. The Broncos fall to 11-7 on the season and 8-6 against nationally ranked teams while the Crimson Tide improves to 15-2 on the season.

Alabama was able to clinch the crucial doubles point to boost the Tide ahead 1-0 in the team score. No. 35-ranked Dan Buikema and Mathieu Thibaudeau earned an 8-4 win over No. 68-ranked Kean Feeder and James Meredith in the No. 1 spot to earn the first of two doubles match wins. UA’s Ricky Doverspike and Andrew Felsenthal fought off Matt Solomon and Blane Shields in the No. 3 match, winning 8-5 to clinch the doubles point for Alabama.

Singles was an Alabama sweep as well, with Billy Mertz leading the way with a 6-1, 6-0 win over Stanley Sarapanich in the No. 5 singles match. Putting the Crimson Tide up 3-0, No. 32-ranked Saketh Myneni earned a 6-1, 6-3 victory over No. 38-ranked Clancy Shields in the No. 1 slot. Alabama was able to clinch the team title with a 6-4, 6-3 win by Michael Jung over Boise State’s Blane Shields in the No. 6 match.

Boise State’s journey at the 2009 Blue Gray Classic comes to an end, but Alabama will continue on to the final round of the tournament where they will face the winner of the Tennessee vs. Auburn match taking place on Saturday afternoon. The finals are slated for a 1 p.m. (Central Time) start on Sun., Mar. 22 at the Lagoon Park Tennis Center.

Boise State will continue their season at home when they host the Boise State Spring Break Invitational on Fri., Mar. 27 and Sat., March 28 at the Appleton Tennis Complex in Boise.

Tennis Match Results

University of Alabama vs Boise State University

Mar 21, 2009 at Montgomery, Ala.

#24 University of Alabama 4, #22 Boise State University 0

 Singles competition

1. #32 Saketh Myneni (UA) def. #38 Clancy Shields (BSU) 6-1, 6-3

2. #76 Mathieu Thibaudeau (UA) vs. #78 Kean Feeder (BSU) no result

3. Michael Thompson (UA) vs. #80 James Meredith (BSU) no result

4. Dan Buikema (UA) vs. Cristian Hodel (BSU) no result

5. Billy Mertz (UA) def. Stanley Sarapanich (BSU) 6-1, 6-0

6. Michael Jung (UA) def. Blane Shields (BSU) 6-4, 6-3

 Doubles competition

1. #35 Dan Buikema/Mathieu Thibaudeau (UA) def. #68 Kean Feeder/James Meredith (BSU) 8-4

2. #49 Billy Mertz/Saketh Myneni (UA) vs. Stanley Sarapanich/Clancy Shields (BSU) no result

3. Ricky Doverspike/Andrew Felsenthal (UA) def. Matt Solomon/Blane Shields (BSU) 8-5

Match Notes:

University of Alabama 15-2; National ranking #24

Boise State University 11-7; National ranking #22

Blue Gray Tennis Classic