The Portland State men’s tennis team lost to Montana 5-2 on March 15 at the Tualatin Hills Tennis Center in Beaverton, Oregon. The Vikings pushed three singles matches to a third set but were unable to secure the win.
This match was important for both teams as it marked another contest in Big Sky Conference play. Portland State’s record dropped to 5-10 overall and 1-2 in conference, while Montana improved to 7-6 overall and started their conference campaign with a win.
Montana took the doubles point after victories at No. 1 and No. 2 doubles positions. Duncan McCall and Baltaz Wiger-Nordas defeated Edoardo Cravanzola and Maas Schotanus, 6-4, at the top spot. Tom Bittner and Eivind Tandberg clinched the point for Montana with a 6-4 win over Aarjun Pandit and Ignacio Ruiz at No. 2 doubles. The third doubles match between Luca Prino/Luke Lu and their opponents was tied at four games each when it went unfinished.
In singles play, Montana extended its lead with straight-set wins at No. 2 and No. 6 positions. Portland State responded through its freshmen: Pandit won his match at No. 1 singles (6-2, 6-3) against Bittner, while Ruiz secured a three-set victory (6-3, 3-6, 6-3) over Joseph Townes at No. 5 singles.
With two matches remaining, both moved into deciding third sets but Prino (No. 3) and Cravanzola (No. 4) could not overcome their Grizzly opponents as Montana sealed the overall victory.
The Vikings are scheduled to return to action on Sunday, March 22, when they travel to Ogden for a matchup against Weber State.
