The Idaho men’s tennis team opened the Big Sky Tournament with a 4-0 sweep over Sacramento State. The victory solidified the Vandals’ spot in the Big Sky Tennis Championship for the third consecutive year.
The doubles point was awarded to Idaho after two dominating sets.
Junior Felipe Fonseca and freshman Guilherme Scarpelli defeated their opponents 6-3. Junior Mark Kovacs and freshman Carlos Longhi-Neto added to the Vandals’ success with their own 6-4 victory. The final doubles match went unfinished.
Idaho controlled singles play. With three impressive performances, the Vandals gained the 4-0 lead necessary for the critical victory.
Fonseca was the first to finish, playing in the No. 2 position. He defeated his adversary 6-3, 6-1.
Longhi-Neto added an Idaho point with his three-set victory over his opponent. The first set was taken by Longhi-Neto 6-2, but he dropped the second. In the decisive set, Longhi-Neto outlasted his opponent 6-2.
Idaho wrapped up the match with another strong outing, after freshman Esteban Santibanez defeated his opponent 6-2, 3-6, 6-2.
Last season, Idaho lost in the championship game. This year, Idaho enters having won their final four matches in commanding fashion.
The Vandals will face No. 4 seeded Montana April 29. Idaho defeated the Grizzlies 4-3 earlier this month.
Zack Ozuna can be reached at [email protected] or on Twitter @OzunaZack21