SALT LAKE CITY, Utah– The Idaho State men's tennis team continued their road trip with a match this weekend in Salt Lake City, Utah against the University of Utah Utes.
Beginning in the doubles matches, the first duo for ISU, playing in the #1 doubles spot, was
Valentino De Pellegrin and
Victor Sklenka, getting the 6-2 victory over Busleiman/Krenn. The next Bengal tandem,
Patrick Kristensen and
Andreas Kramer, would fall 4-6 to Utah's Blando/Blando in the #2 doubles match. Leaving the doubles point to come down to the #3 doubles match where
Ege Cankus and
Hiroki Fujita would come through when Idaho State needed them most, defeating Applegate/Rossi 7-5.
Heading into singles play up 1-0 ISU knew they needed to keep the same energy if they wanted to earn their first ever victory versus Utah as well as a PAC-12 opponent.
Patrick Kristensen set the tone in the #4 singles match, as he would come out on fire for ISU, defeating D. Applegate 6-1, 6-3. In the #1 singles match
Victor Sklenka would fall to Utah's G. Busleiman in straight sets 2-6, 1-6. Idaho State was now up 2-1 and looking to put the finishing touches on the match. Looking into the #2 singles match,
Valentino De Pellegrin, would come up huge for ISU, downing J. Blando with ease, 6-1, 6-3. Looking to close the match out, reigning Big Sky Player of the Week,
Wikus Robbertse, would do just that, downing M. Blando in straight sets 6-4, 6-4, giving the Bengals their first-ever win over a PAC-12 opponent and the University of Utah.
Head Coach, Oliver Good, shared his thoughts on the team's win in Salt Lake City, "The guys did a great job of coming out strong in the doubles, and it set the tone for the rest of the day. I'd like to give a special shoutout to
Patrick Kristensen, who has worked really hard coming back from shoulder surgery and is now seeing the rewards. We will rest up now and get ready for big tests against Utah State and BYU next week."
Idaho State's next matches will be on the road as they travel to Logan and Provo, Utah. Taking on the Utah State Aggies for the second time this season on Friday, February 23
rd at 11 am, followed by a match at BYU on Saturday, February 24
th at noon.
