USAFA, Colorado – The Idaho State men's tennis team traveled to Colorado this weekend where they were set to face off against the University of Denver, Air Force, and Marist College.
In ISU's first match on the weekend, against Denver on Friday afternoon, the Bengals' doubles teams would compete well, but fall just short in #1 and #2, allowing the Pioneers to take an early 1-0 lead heading into singles play.
DOUBLES
Yamaguchi/Robb-Wilcox (UD) def. De Pellegrin/Sklenka (ISU) 6-4
Coats/Sancho Arbizu (UD) def. Rawson/Lamothe (ISU) 6-4
Papajcik/Mishiro (UD) vs. Wensley/Bouman (ISU) 5-5, unfinished
It was more of the same in singles play for Idaho State, unable to see much success. The lone bright spot for ISU was
Valentino De Pellegrin picking up his first career ranked singles win, defeating #93 Raffaello Papajcik in three sets in the #2 singles match.
SINGLES
#31 Daniel Sancho Arbizu (UD) def.
Victor Sklenka (ISU) 6-4, 6-4
Valentino De Pellegrin (ISU) def. #93 Raffaello Papajcik (UD) 6-1, 3-6, 6-1
Rikuto Yamaguchi (UD) def.
Jowan Rawson (ISU) 4-6, 6-2, 6-3
Samuel Rovai (UD) def.
Sam Wensley (ISU) 4-6, 6-0, 6-4
Connor Robb-Wilcox (UD) def.
Quentin Lamothe (ISU) 6-2, 3-6, 6-3
Ryoma Mishiro (UD) def,
Luka Vujacic (ISU) 6-1, 7-5
Following the 1-6 defeat to Denver, the Bengals would look to turn the tides the following day, traveling to the United States Air Force Academy in Colorado, to take on Air Force Saturday afternoon.
In doubles play versus AF, the Bengals got out to a quick start, finding wins in the #1 & #3 doubles matches to take the doubles point.
DOUBLES
De Pellegrin/Sklenka (ISU) def. Deaton/Leaird (AF) 7-5
Rawson/Lamothe (ISU) vs. Kersten/Brown (AF) 6-6, unfinished
Wensley/Bouman (ISU) def. Tingleaf/Moore (AF) 6-4
The Bengals looked to build off their momentum from the doubles point victory, however, Idaho State seemed to leave it all on the court in the doubles matches, as all four of the first singles matches for ISU would end in a loss, and drop the match by a final score of 1-4.
SINGLES
Phillip Deaton (AF) def.
Victor Sklenka (ISU) 7-6 (7-4), 6-3
Arjun Kersent (AF) def.
Valentino De Pellegrin (ISU) 6-2, 5-7, 7-5
AJ Moore (AF) def.
Sam Wensley (ISU) 6-2, 6-3
Alec Fritzinger (AF) def.
Lewie Bouman (ISU) 7-6 (7-3), 6-2
Langdon Tingleaf (AF) vs.
Quentin Lamothe (ISU) 3-6, unfinished
Jack Brown (AF) vs.
Hayden Ciguenza (ISU) 4-5, unfinished
After going 0-2 in the previous two days, ISU was set to take on Marist College on Sunday morning for their final match on the weekend.
The Bengals got things started early, getting the doubles point victory in the #1 & #3 matches.
DOUBLES
De Pellegrin/Sklenka (ISU) def. Suhanitski/Layton (MC) 6-2
Rawson/Lamothe (ISU) vs. Heinemann/Catala (MC) 4-4, unfinished
Wensley/Bouman (ISU) def. Gomez/Damonte (MC) 6-2
The Bengals stayed hot in their singles matches, finishing the day with a clean sweep, defeating Marist College 7-0.
SINGLES
Victor Sklenka (ISU) def. Jose Catala (MC) 6-1, 6-2
Valentino De Pellegrin (ISU) def. Nick Suhanitski (MC) 6-1, 6-3
Sam Wensley (ISU) def. Gregor Heinemann (MC) 6-2, 6-3
Quentin Lamothe (ISU) def. Augustin Damonte (MC) 4-6, 6-1, 1-0 (10-5)
Lewie Bouman (ISU) def. Tomas Gomez (MC) 6-2, 7-6 (7-3)
Hayden Ciguenza (ISU) def. Fateh Singh (MC) 4-6, 6-3, 1-0 (10-5)
Following the 1-2 Colorado roadtrip, Idaho State now stands at 7-10 overall on the season and remains 1-2 in Big Sky play.
"The guys bounced back well after a tough loss on Saturday," said Bengals head coach, Oliver Good. "We know what we need to improve in order to be the team we know we can be, and now it's time to do it.
We're excited to get into conference play in two weeks and can't wait for the challenge ahead."
UP NEXT
Up next for the Bengals, they will host the University of Montana on Friday, April 4
th at 11:00 A.M, followed by hitting the road for a match against Montana State in Bozeman on Sunday, April 6
th at noon.
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