Honolulu, HI –– In its first match of the 2016 season, the USF Dons battled hard but fell to Utah 2-5 in Hawaii. The Dons were able to take the first match of the day in doubles but the Utes overpowered the Dons in singles play to come away with the win.

USF got out to a fast start with the No. 1 doubles pair of Vasco Valverde and Nils Skajaa taking down Egbert Weverink and Santiago Sierra by a score of 6-2. However, Tynan Maguire and Christian Brockstedt were unable to make it two consecutive wins for the Dons as the No. 2 doubles pair fell to Matt Cowley and Jamey Swiggart 4-6. In the final doubles match, Thomas Takemoto and Ryan Marker also lost 4-6 to David Micevski and Johan Jonhagen 4-6. 

In singles play, Marker set the pace early with a dominating 6-1, 6-1 win over Swiggart in the No. 4 spot. However, the Dons struggled to pick up a win after Marker as the Utes rattled off three straight wins to take the overall match. Woravin Kumthonkittikul took on Sierra in the No. 6 spot but fell 2-6, 4-6. Following that match, Maguire played in his first collegiate match at No. 5 singles and forced two tiebreakers against Jonhagen but narrowly lost by a score of 6-7 (3), 5-7. Valverde needed a win to keep the Dons in the match but lost in No. 3 singles to Micevski, falling 6-7 (5), 4-6. With the win by Micevski, the Utes clinched the match overall. 

On Saturday, the Dons will return to the courts to take on Hawaii at 10 a.m. PT. Follow USFDons.com and @usfmenstennis on Twitter for all updates. 

Doubles:
1. Skajaa/Valverde (USF) def. Sierra/Weverink (UU) 6-2
2. Cowley/Swiggart (USF) def. Brockstedt/Maguire (UU) 6-4
3. Jonhagen/Micevski (USF) def. Takemoto/Marker (UU) 6-4
Order of finish: 1,2,3

Singles:
1. Skajaa (USF) def. Cowley (UU) 6-7(5), 7-5, 10-6
2. Weverink (UU) def. Takemoto (USF) 4-6, 7-6(5), 1-1 ret.
3. Micevski (UU) def. Valverde (USF) 7-6(4), 6-4
4. Marker (USF) def. Swiggart (UU) 6-1, 6-1
5. Jonhagen (UU) def. Maguire (USF) 7-6(2), 7-5
6. Sierra (UU) def. Kumthonkittkul (USF) 6-2, 6-4
Order of finish 4,6,5,3,2,1