DENVER, CO- The Bengals men's tennis team was back on the road this week as they traveled to Colorado to face #68 in the nation, Air Force and the University of Denver. Idaho State took on the Air Force Falcons Wednesday evening where they came up just short, falling 4-3 in the match. On Friday afternoon Idaho State looked to bounce back against the University of Denver Pioneers, however, they were unable to do so dropping the match 6-1. After the two losses this week the Bengals will fall to 5-7 on the season and remain 1-1 in conference play.
In the Bengals match against #68 Air Force on Wednesday Idaho State were unable to secure the doubles matches point as the No. 1 and No. 3 doubles teams both lost by a score of 6-1. As Idaho State went into the singles matches down 1-0, we saw Patrick Kristensen cruise to a straight set win in the No. 1 singles match by a score of 6-3, 6-4. Valentino De Pellegrin battled in the No. 2 singles match as he fell in the first set in a playoff 6-7 (4-7), however De Pellegrin remained cool and confident as he went on to defeat his Falcon opponent in the second and third sets, 6-4, 7-6 (7-3), to win the match point. In the No. 3 and No. 4 singles matches Andreas Kramer and Wikus Robbertse both lost in straight sets while in the No. 5 singles match Victor Sklenka put on a show as he won in straight sets 7-6 (7-0), 6-2. In the final match of the day for the Bengals, Hiroki Fujita was facing off in the No. 6 singles match. Fujita went down early and was unable to comeback, falling 2-6, 3-6.
In their next match on Friday afternoon the Bengals squared off with the University of Denver. Much like the previous match the Bengals got off to a slow start, dropping the doubles matches point as the Pioneers won the No. 2 doubles match 6-3, and the No. 3 doubles match 6-2. The Bengals were unable to get much momentum going in the singles matches as the lone victory came from Victor Sklenka in the No.5 singles match as he defeated his Pioneer opponent in striaght sets 6-4, 7-6 (7-5). Valentino De Pellegrin played his opponent tight the entire way in the No. 2 singles match, but lost in a tight third set playoff 2-6, 7-6 (7-5), 6-10.
After the weekend the Idaho State men's tennis team is now 5-7 and 1-1 in BSC. They will be will be back on the road as they travel to Boise to take on Boise State and the University of San Francisco on Thursday March 16th.
