POCATELLO, ID- The Idaho State men's tennis team returned home from their five-game road trip to Reed Gym this weekend where the Bengals played host to the University of Idaho Vandals and University of Montana Griz. Idaho State gave it their all, however fell to the Vandals 4-3. After the loss the Bengals bounced right back and took it to Montana as they downed the Griz 5-2, earning their first conference win of the season. After the weekend the Bengals will move to 7-10 on the season and move to 1-2 in conference play.
In the Bengals match against Idaho, the Bengals came out firing in the doubles matches, but could not get it done as they only managed a win in the No. 1 doubles match behind the team of Andreas Kramer and Valentino De Pellegrin, downing their matchups in convincing fashion 6-1. Heading into the singles matches down 0-1 the Bengals were looking for some answers as they were without No. 1 singles player Patrick Kristensen with an injury for the match so the Bengals knew everyone needed to step up. Andreas Kramer provided just that as he handled his Vandal opponent in the No. 2 singles match, beating him in straight sets 6-4, 6-1. However, he did not find much help as the Bengals dropped the No. 1 and No. 3 singles matches in straight sets. Victor Sklenka in the No. 4 singles match picked up where teammate Andreas Kramer left off as he dominated his matchup 6-1, 6-2. With the Bengals trailing in the match 3-2 the final two matches needed to be wins, unfortunately Idaho State fell in the No. 6 singles match leading to the Vandals clinching the match. In the No. 5 singles match Hiroki Fujita looked like a man on a mission as he refused to lose, going on to get the W in three sets 7-6 (10-7), 3-6, 10-7. The Bengals ended on a high-note, but fell to the Vandals 4-3.
Returning to Reed Gym the following morning the Bengals sought to avenge their loss the previous day, today they faced the Montana Griz. Each doubles match was an absolute battle for the Bengals as the No. 1 doubles team of Valentino De Pellegrin and Andreas Kramer fell in a tight one 4-6 and the No. 3 doubles team of Victor Sklenka and Hiroki Fujita dropped their match in a playoff 6-7 (5-7). The bright spot for the Bengals was the No. 2 doubles team of Wikus Robbertse and Patrick Kristensen as they defeated their Griz matchups 7-5. As the Bengals went into the singles matches down 0-1 yet again Andreas Kramer and Valentino De Pellegrin turned the ship around, cruising to straight set wins against their opponents in the No. 2 and No. 3 singles matches. Patrick Kristensen gave it his all in the No. 1 singles match, returning from injury, but fell to his matchup in three sets 7-5, 4-6, 5-7. Tied 2-2 with the Griz Idaho State needed some big wins down the stretch and Victor Sklenka showed up as he once again downed his matchup in straight sets in the No. 5 singles match 6-2, 6-2. With an opportunity to clinch the match Wikus Robbertse battled in a three-set duel in the No. 4 singles match, and went on to win in three sets 6-4, 1-6, 6-2, and clinch the match for the Bengals. In the final matchup in the No. 6 singles match Hiroki Fujita secured a win behind a clutch three-set performance, winning by a score of 7-5, 5-7, 10-7.
The Bengals will be at home in Reed Gym again as they play host to Sacramento State on Friday March 31st at 11 AM.
