LEWISTON, Idaho—The Vandal men's tennis team start the dual season with a strong 7-0 showing against UC Riverside on Sunday. The Vandals won all but one singles-set on the day in their first match of the spring.

“It was an ideal start to the year,” first year head coach Abid Akbar said. “I am very pleased with the way the team competed. It was great to see the freshman step up and play very mature tennis today.”

Idaho (1-0) got the day started off, taking the first two doubles courts. Mark Kovacs and Jackson Varney paired up for a 6-2 win on the No. 1 court. Odon Barta and Artem Vasheshnikov got the win in No. 2 doubles, 6-4.

The Vandals breezed through singles play, not dropping a set until the fifth match of the day on the No. 3 court. Felipe Fonseca put Idaho up 2-0 with his 6-0, 6-1 defeat of Sean Yun in No. 2 play. Barta wrapped up the No. 1 court with a 6-0, 6-3 win over Riverside's Julian Ruffin. Vasheshnikov clinched the Vandal victory with his 6-3, 6-0 win in No. 4 play.

Varney, Kovacs and Lucas Coutinho scored wins for good measure to close out the match.

Idaho is back on the court on Saturday, February 6, at Portland.