PHOENIX—Idaho men's tennis swept Weber State on Friday, 4-0, securing a return to the Big Sky Tennis championship match. The Vandals will make their fourth straight trip to the conference final, having won it in 2015 and 2017. 

Idaho battled early on in doubles to get out to the 1-0 lead. The Vandals got down at No. 2 and No. 3 but played through the adversity. Carlos Longhi Neto and Mark Kovacs won the first leg of the point, 6-4, at No. 1. Felipe Fonseca and Guilherme Scarpelli wrapped up the early advantage, coming from behind in their 6-4 win.

"Credit to the boys as they really stepped up under pressure," head coach Abid Akbar explained. "We had no business winning the doubles point. We were down a break at No. 2 and No.3 and close to going down two breaks at both. The guys showed real grit."

The Vandal's carried the momentum into singles play and never looked back. 

Longhi Neto dropped just two games, all in the opening set, in his straight-set win at No. 3. He sailed past Nick Werner, 6-2, 6-0, for his ninth win of the season. His doubles partner Kovacs played with the same determination at No. 1. The Idaho senior put together a 6-3, 6-1 afternoon, giving the Vandals a 3-0 lead. 

The match was decided at the No. 4 position. Scarpelli did not disappoint, coming through in straight sets to send Idaho into the championship. Hi picked up a pair of 6-2 wins to close out the day. 

"The team carried the momentum through to singles very well," Akbar added. "Mark leading the way at the top and Carlos got a quick win against a tough opponent. Then Guilherme came up clutch when it mattered."
 
The Vandals will face the winner of the Montana and Northern Arizona. Idaho earned a split between the two schools this season. The Vandals fell at Montana (5-2) and defeated Northern Arizona (4-3).

The championship match is set for 1 p.m. PT.