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Men’s tennis 3-peats
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A lot was expected of the Boise State men’s tennis team this season. Sunday the Broncos delivered on some of the hype and earned a third consecutive Western Athletic Conference championship, a perfect 20-0 home record and an automatic berth in the NCAA tennis tournament next month.
Not bad for a team that does not have a single senior on its roster.
On Saturday the Broncos swept Nevada 4-0 and then battled on Sunday to sweep WAC rival Fresno State, 4-0 to claim their fourth conference title in the last five seasons.
“Boise needs to understand one thing,” Head Coach Greg Patton said after the championship dual. “We’ve got a great team here. We might be bringing that trophy to you – and that trophy is a national championship. I know the city
deserves it.”
Another championship trophy wasn’t the only hardware Boise State collected on Sunday. Patton was named WAC Coach of the Year for the third consecutive season after helping the Broncos finish 29-5 this season, including an impressive 15-5 record against nationally ranked teams.
“I’m happy, this is what I live for,” Patton said. “I love this thrill and nothing matches it.”
Boise State junior Luke Shields was named WAC Player of the Year and was awarded WAC first team honors in both singles and doubles.
“If you come watch us play you have a chance to watch some of the best talent in the country,” Patton said. “He’s [Luke Shields] a rock and he lifts us all up and makes us better.”
Shields’ younger brother Clancy was also awarded WAC first team honors in both singles and doubles.
Luke Shields finished the season ranked in the top 20 nationally with a 26-3 singles record.
The standout junior was also named Player of the Week on two separate occasions this season (Jan. 29, Mar. 12). He also earned the annual USTA sportsmanship award at the ITA National Team Indoor Championship in Chicago.
“Luke is the best around,” Patton said. “He’s a class act and a
warrior on and off the court and he deserves it.”
Not only did the Broncos finish a perfect 20-0 at home this season, but they have been red-hot since mid-March winning 13 consecutive matches and are 22-2 since late February.
“The center of the tennis universe is right here,” Patton said. “I want to shake up Boise and I want to shake up this country and show them who we are because we’re doing amazing things here.”
Meanwhile, because the Broncos held the top seed in the tournament they enjoyed a bye in the first round and met Nevada in the semi-final. Boise State captured the four points required for victory in doubles and at No. 2, No. 5 and No. 6 singles en route to the championship match. Brothers Luke and Clancy Shields played together for the first time since October and cruised past Nevada’s No. 1 doubles team of Laurent Garcin and Guillaume Tonelli 8-4. With a sweep of Nevada the Broncos remained perfect against WAC opponents this season heading into the championship match. When the Broncos met Fresno State just two weeks ago they slid past the Bulldogs 4-3 at home.
“All week long I’ve been having dreams about a barking dog
coming after me,” Patton said. “We knew Fresno would be tough and they were, but this time we were happy to win 4-0.”
Now the Broncos will try and accomplish what they been
zeroing in on all season – a national championship.
Should the Broncos not be chosen to host a match in the
NCAA tournament, they will likely face either Illinois or USC in the opening round.
“This is what it’s all about and we can’t wait,” Patton said. “We’ll
celebrate today and then turn our focus toward the tourney.”
The NCAA men’s tennis selection show will be held Tuesday, May 1 at noon on ESPNEWS. The tournament will be held May 13-14.
TATE CASTLETON
Sports Writer
