FINAL SCORE:
Idaho 1, Portland State 6
Idaho 2, Portland 5
Idaho 3, Utah 4
Idaho 6, Weber State 1
RECORDS:
Idaho (7-14), Portland State (6-13)
Idaho (7-15), Portland (6-13)
Idaho (7-16), Utah (6-15)
Idaho (8-16), Weber State (2-13)
ORDER OF FINISH:
Doubles (3, 2, 1); Singles (3, 6, 1, 2, 3, 1)
Doubles (3,2,1); Singles (3, 1, 2, 4, 5, 6)
Doubles (3, 2, 1); Singles (3, 6, 1, 2, 3, 1)
Doubles (3,2, uf); Singles (5, 6, 2, 4, 3, 1)
NOTABLES:
MOSCOW, Idaho – Leading up to the final regular season action of the year, Idaho Men's Tennis secured its second Big Sky Tournament berth in as many years with a win over Weber State.
Vs. Portland State
The Vandals came into the road match with an adjusted lineup due to injuries that players have obtained this season. Chetanna Amadike and Gabriel Moroder played in the number one doubles spot, a potion that we haven't seen the duo play in since Idaho's matchup with Grand Canyon at the start of the season. In the two spot, we saw Noe De Col stepping up to the occasion as he played in the number two double alongside Mikolaj Lis to go to battle for his injured teammate. The boys in black and gold walked away with the early lead as De Col and Mikolaj Lis took the victory on two 6-4, followed by Paul Janson and Eric Wang's victory on court three.
Despite fighting to get the early momentum, UI was unable to bring down the Viking crew in the singles skirmishes, falling to Portland State 1-6.
Vs. Portland
The Vandals entered the following day looking to bounce back but found themselves in an early deficit against the Pilots as Portland put their strong doubles play in full display.
Mikolaj Lis competing in number three singles would not allow the Pilots early lead get to him as he began to chip away at his opponent. Lis felled his opponent in just two sets to take the victory 6-4, 7-5.
Meanwhile, on court six, Noe De Col stood steadfast as he danced to and fro with Portland's Gian Manhas. The UI's Switzerland native put on a performance showcasing his grit and heart as he entered a second set tiebreak. As the dust settled, De Col emerged victorious, bringing down his opponent 7-5, 7(7)-6(5)
Despite Idaho's highlights, it was unable to defeat the Pilots, dropping the match 2-5.
Vs. Utah
Returning into action after coming off a week of fundraising for the University of Idaho "Vandal's Giving Day", the Brave and Bold came into the week looking a bit different in more ways than one. The Vandal's, with buzzed and bleached haircuts, brought a new energy into this week's matches.
In the doubles showdown, the black and gold runaway with the doubles point after having 6-4 victories on courts one and two by Amadike and Moroder as well as Lis and De Col.
After winning the push for the early momentum, Idaho captains Amadike and Lis went into their singles match with an appetite for victory as they stepped up to the plate.
The Vandal's three-time Big Sky Conference Player of the Week competed in the one spot taking the Utes' Dante Teramo to a third set tiebreaker. Amadike showcased why he had earned the three-time title as he soldiered throughout the final set until he eventually triumphed 3-6, 7-6 (7-5), 1-0.
Lis experienced a similar result as he exchanged blows with Utah's Simeon Terviez. Lis and his new haircut came just shy of taking the first set 6-7 (5-7), but he did not waiver. Lis remained on the hunt taking the next set 6-3 followed by a dominant 6-0 finish.
Despite efforts, the Vandals were unable to defeat their Big 12 Conference challenger, falling just short of victory 3-4.
Vs. Weber State
In the duel with the Wildcats and a spot for the Big Sky Conference Tournament position on the line, UI went into its second to last conference match with all the necessary hype.
Continuing to battle injuries and utilizing their altered lineup, the Vandals once again took the doubles point to kick things off on the right foot. Within that battle, black and gold freshman Valentine Glasl rose to the occasion to compete alongside Janson on court three after Wang left with an injury. Head Coach Raleigh Grossbaum stated, "The MVP of this match, Valentine Glasl, freshman from Austria, was incredible."
When Grossbaum asked Glasl, "What do you think? If I put you in, do you think you're going to get it done? How confident are you?" Glasl turned, looked at Grossbaum and replied, "Coach. I got this." The freshman and Janson then went on to have a strong 6-1 victory.
Idaho took the momentum from the doubles point and never looked back as the Brave and Bold took victories on five of the six courts. Idaho took an overpowering 6-1 win giving birth to a chance at a Big Sky Conference title coming up in less than two weeks.
UP NEXT: The Vandals will be returning to action Sunday, April 19 at 11 a.m. in Flagstaff, AZ to take on Northern Arizona for their final regular season match.
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