UCSB’s Forget reaping benefits of hot Big West start

UCSB's Mathieu Forget

UCSB senior Mathieu Forget has been named the year’s first Big West Male Tennis Athlete of the Week after posting three wins in his first five singles matches this season. He also recorded wins in three out of four doubles matches.

Forget recorded straight-set wins over Alvara Nazai of Gonzaga, Jonathan Brooklyn of Hawaii and Spencer Smith of BYU. The first two wins came while he was playing at the No. 1 position in the lineup and the third, which helped UCSB defeat 36th-ranked BYU, came at No. 2.

“Mathieu is our senior co-captain and he really helped get our season off to a fantastic start,” said Gaucho head coach Marty Davis. “He gave us a 1-0 head-start in our win over BYU last week, winning in less than an hour.”

Forget’s three doubles wins came at the No. 1 spot in the lineup. He teamed with Mbonisi Ndimande for wins against teams from Mississippi State, Gonzaga and Hawaii.

“He is always an energizer on for our team,” Davis said of Forget. “His production on court, high in the lineup against quality opponents, is very deserving of Big West Athlete of the Week honors.”

The 3-2 Gauchos return to action on Saturday, Jan. 28 when they host Westmont College at the Recreation Center Courts beginning with doubles at 1:00 p.m.