Tough times

The Portland State men’s tennis team suffered twin losses in California to Big Sky favorite Sacramento State (7–0) and UC Davis (6–1) over the weekend. The women’s team also extended its losing streak to six games after losing to Weber State (5–2) on Saturday at the Club Green Meadows in Vancouver, Wash.

The weekend results leave the men in the fourth spot in the Big Sky table with a 3–3 conference record (6–9 overall) while the women remain rooted at the bottom of the standings (0–6 Big Sky, 2–15 overall).

In Friday’s match against Sacramento State, PSU was without the services of four of its players, including junior Chris Rice and former Big Sky Athlete of the Week Alex VanDerschelden. The players were suspended due to a violation of team rules.

As a consequence, the Vikings had to default on a doubles and a singles match. Junior Sean Eberle and freshman Zach Lubek came close to winning one set each in their matches. Both players managed to extend their set to a 6–4 scoreline against their opponents.

The Viks returned to their usual lineup on Saturday against UC Davis and hoped to resume normal services, but the Aggies managed to pull off a series sweep over them after a 6–1 win on Saturday. The Aggies had won the earlier game against PSU in February (5–2) at the Louisiana-Pacific Tennis Center.

PSU managed to win one doubles match, but lost the other two and the doubles point. Senior Kyle Erickson earned PSU’s only point with a 6–2, 2–6, 6–3 win over UC Davis senior Nic Amaroli.

These results mean the Vikings need to win both of their remaining conference matches against Northern Arizona and Idaho State to qualify for the Big Sky semifinals. With Sacramento State, Weber State and Northern Arizona virtually sealing their spots in the playoffs, PSU is a part of a three team pack—which includes Eastern Washington and Montana—vying for the last leftover semifinal spot.

The Viks take on Northern Arizona at the Club Green Meadows in Vancouver, Wash., on Monday at 10:30 p.m.

Continuing with their recent trend, the women’s team fought a close battle with Weber State in the doubles matches but could only win two of six singles games. Junior team captain Caitlin Stocking and sophomore Marti Pelicano won their respective games against Weber State’s Greyce Farias and Brittiny Moore at lines two and six.

The women play their final game of the season against Idaho State on Saturday at the Louisiana-Pacific Tennis Center in the battle for last place in the Big Sky standings.