SALT LAKE CITY--- Junior Naoki Takeda cruised to his team-leading 23rd victory of the season, while freshman Shoki Kasahara earned a convincing straight-set victory on court five, but unfortunately the two victories weren't enough, as Arizona dropped a 4-2 decision to Utah, Saturday out at Coach Mike's Tennis Academy up in Salt Lake City.
Utah (11-12, 1-6 Pac-12) grabbed an early 1-0 lead in this one, as it took the doubles point. Matt Cowley and Cedric Williams defeated Shoki Kasahara and David Mushayev 6-2 on court one, while Santiago Sierra and Johan Jonhagen bested Jason Jaruvang and Matt Dunn on court three, 6-3.
However, Arizona (8-18, 0-7 Pac-12) quickly knotted things back up in singles play. No. 63 Takeda proved why he was the highest ranked player on either team coming in, as he blew past Williams in straight sets, 6-2, 6-0 to tie things at 1-1.
Cowley then responded for the Utes, as he earned a hard-fought 7-5, 6-0 win over Muahayev on court three to spot Utah the lead once again at 2-1.
But again, the Wildcats had an answer, as Kasahara notched win No. 17 on the season, as he easily took down Sierra, 6-0, 6-3 from the No. 5 position to equalize things at 2-2.
While UA's comeback attempt was a valiant one, Utah was able to hold on for the win, as McGuiness defeated Jaruvang 6-1, 6-4 on court two and Swiggart finished things off with a 6-2, 7-5 victory over Trevor James at the No. 6 spot to bring the final to 4-2.
With the regular season in the books, the Wildcats now focus their attention to Pac-12 Championship play. Arizona will begin their conference tournament run, Wednesday in Ojai, California.
Utah 4, Arizona 2
SINGLES
1. #63 Naoki Takeda (ARIZM) def. Cedric Williams (UTAH) 6-2, 6-0
2. Parker McGuiness (UTAH) def. Jason Jaruvang (ARIZM) 6-1, 6-4
3. Matt Cowley (UTAH) def. David Mushayev (ARIZM) 7-5, 6-0
4. Johan Jonhagen (UTAH) vs. Will Kneale (ARIZM) 7-6 (7-3), 3-2, unfinished
5. Shoki Kasahara (ARIZM) def. Santiago Sierra (UTAH) 6-0, 6-3
6. Jamey Swiggart (UTAH) def. Trevor James (ARIZM) 6-2, 7-5
Order of Finish: 1,3,5,2,6*
*Clinching point
DOUBLES
1. Matt Cowley/Cedric Williams (UTAH) def. Shoki Kasahara/David Mushayev (ARIZM) 6-2
2. Jamey Swiggart/Parker McGuiness (UTAH) vs. Trevor James/Naoki Takeda (ARIZM) 4-3, unfinished
3. Santiago Sierra/Johan Jonhagen (UTAH) def. Jason Jaruvang/Matt Dunn (ARIZM) 6-3
Order of Finish: 1,3
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