LEWISTON, Idaho—Idaho men's tennis moved one spot closer to clinching the No. 1 seed in the upcoming Big Sky Championship on Sunday. The Vandals improved to 9-1 in the conference with a 5-2 win over Idaho State. 

The Vandals have a slim lead over Montana (7-2) and Northern Arizona (7-2). Idaho has one conference match to go, while Montana and NAU each have two to be decided.

The Vandals climbed out to a 1-0 lead after the conclusion of doubles play. Guilherme Scarpelli and Felipe Fonseca opened play with a 6-1 showing at No. 3. Mark Kovacs and Carlos Longhi Neto clinched the point for Idaho with a 6-4 win at No. 1. 

Idaho State evened the score at the start of singles. William Edin picked up a point at No. 2 when Longhi Neto was forced to retire from the match. 

Fonseca regained the advantage for the Vandals. He won his 13th match of the season, going 6-3, 6-2 over Adam Hornby at No. 3. Kovacs picked up a straight-set win (6-4, 6-4) to tie Alan Shin for the most career wins at Idaho (95). Scarpelli wrapped up the win at No. 4, recording his 11th win of the season. He fought back after dropping the first set to win in three, 3-6, 6-2, 6-3. 

Idaho State got a point back at the No. 6 position, winning 6-2, 6-4. Lucas Coutinho outlasted Keegan Sullivan in a super tiebreaker to end the day. He held on for the 6-3, 6-7(4), 10-6 win.  

The Vandals will be back in Moscow to wrap up the Big Sky season next Wednesday. They will host Eastern Washington at 3 p.m. PT.