Moraga, Calif. - The Eastern Washington University men's tennis team dropped road matches against three opponents last week, including a close 4-2 defeat against Saint Mary's on Thursday, March 24, that concluded the recent stretch.

Eastern is currently 8-14 on the season and 4-3 in the Big Sky Conference.

Last week's play began on Monday, March 21 with a double header against the No. 45 ranked team in the nation, Washington. Both matches of the day finished 7-0 in UW's favor. The doubles team of freshman Victor Pereira and junior Wacil Bendjelti played the most competitive games in the second match of the day, falling to Piers Foley and Wendell Watanabe 7-6 (7-5) in the No. 1 spot.

Following the dual matches against the Huskies, the Eagles played conference opponent Sacramento State on Wednesday, March 23, losing 7-0. Sophomore Vuk Vuckovic battled in a three-set, tiebreaker match, falling just short of the victory. He faced Joaquin Marquez in the No. 3 spot, finishing the match 7-5, 6-7 (4-7), 10-6.

"A match is just part of the process of getting better and gaining mastery of the sport.  We just have to get better and keep focusing on that.  The key is keeping that focus and that determination day in and day out", said Head Coach Steve Clark.

"'If you always give your best (practice, matches, on and off court) you will sometimes play your best, and one time be the best.'  In our case in that last few matches, each match some players have stepped and played well, won, or had extremely close matches.  They just have to do it more consistently on the same day. "

The week's conclusion featured the team's second matchup against Saint Mary's on Thursday, Mar. 24, after a setback earlier in the season. EWU kept this competition close, but ultimately dropped the match 4-2. After SMC secured the doubles point, Victor Pereira earned the terminator point out of the No. 2 spot against Nash Vollenweider, 6-3, 1-6, 6-2. EWU's second singles win came from senior Eduardo Bringold. He came back from a first set loss to dominate the final two sets, securing the victory 3-6, 6-1, 6-2. Bendjelti and junior Rendell Burghart came close to earning EWU enough point for the match win, falling in tiebreaker matches. Bendjelti played Alex Hunt in the No. 1 spot, finishing 7-6 (7-4), 6-4, while Burghart's results were 7-6 (8-6), 6-2 against Matthew Campana.

"Rare greatness comes at a steep price.  Mediocrity is abundant and cheap."  Clark emphasizes this mindset to his players. "There are so many athletes, students, employees, etc., that have talent or ability but only achieve or underachieve.  I press my guys to give beyond and over-achieve (take their ability and maximize it and NOT be complacent).  It is only when we refuse to accept mediocrity and crave excellence that what was in the past considered achievement becomes mediocre."

The Eagles continue their road stretch against Big Sky opponent Idaho on Wednesday, April 6, starting at 3 p.m. PST.