LEWISTON, Idaho – Idaho's comeback bid fell short Saturday afternoon as Sacramento State outlasted the Vandals, 4-3 at the LCSC Tennis Center.

The Vandals dropped a heartbreaker as the doubles point proved to be the difference. Each team earned three singles wins but the Hornets claimed two out of three doubles matches to secure the victory. 

"We put ourselves out there but it didn't go our way," Idaho head coach Daniel Hangstefer said. "We did everything we could in singles, but I felt like doubles was crucial. We have to be able to take advantage in doubles and produce. It is what it is. What I told the guys, 'When you fall you get back up again.' We have to take care of ourselves tonight and get ready for tomorrow. We are gonna go after it again in the morning." 

With the match even at 3-3, the outcome would be decided at No. 6 singles. Sophomore Alex Asenov and Hayden Rand each traded wins in the first two sets before Rand ultimately outlasted Asenov in the final set, 6-3, to clinch it for Sac State. 

The Hornets also won on courts one and three to help pull out the victory. Mark Kekj bested Francisco Bascon 6-3, 6-4 at the No. 1 spot to open singles play while Mate Voros defeated Bruno Casino 7-6, 1-6, 6-4 at No. 3. 

After trailing 2-0, the Vandals were jump-started by Matteo Masala at No. 4. The Italian dominated with a 6-4, 6-2 win over Ori Maior on court four to get Idaho on the scoreboard. Francisco Gay kept things rolling on court No. 2, picking up a 6-1, 2-6, 6-0 victory against Patrick Wong. The Hornets took a brief 3-2 lead before Mario Duron answered with a 6-3, 2-6, 6-0 win over Rudolfs Aksenoks.

Idaho moves to 6-11 (2-2 BSC) with four conference matches left to finish out the regular season.
 
NEXT UP: The Vandals will have a quick turnaround as they welcome Montana State for a dual match tomorrow at 10 a.m inside the LCSC Tennis Center. 

MATCH RESULTS

Sacramento State 4, Idaho 3

Singles competition
1. Mark Kekj (SACST) def. Francisco Bascon (ID) 6-3, 6-4
2. Francisco Gay (ID) def. Patrick Wong (SACST) 6-1, 2-6, 6-0
3. Mate Voros (SACST) def. Bruno Casino (ID) 7-6, 1-6, 6-4
4. Matteo Masala (ID) def. Ori Maior (SACST) 6-4, 6-2
5. Mario Duron Garza (ID) def. Rudolfs Aksenoks (SACST) 6-3, 2-6, 6-0
6. Hayden Rand (SACST) def. Alex Asenov (ID) 6-1, 4-6, 6-3

Doubles competition
1. Mate Voros/Mark Kekj (SACST) def. Francisco Bascon/Bruno Casino (ID) 6-5
2. Ori Maior/Hayden Rand (SACST) def. Matteo Masala/Alex Asenov (ID) 7-6 (7-0)
3. Francisco Gay/Mario Duron Garza (ID) def. Rudolfs Aksenoks/Patrick Wong (SACST) 6-1

Match Notes:
Sacramento State 12-7
Idaho 6-10
Order of finish: Doubles (3,1,2); Singles (1,4,2,3,5,6)

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