The Eastern Washington University's men's tennis team opened up Big Sky competition with a 5-2 victory over Sacramento State, who was undefeated in the Big Sky. The last time EWU defeated Sacramento State was in 2008, when the Eagles won 4-3. The Eagles also defeated Whitworth University 7-0 to complete a sweep for their home opener. 

"I am happy for the guys, especially the seniors," head coach Steve Clark said. "I told the guys before our first match of the year that we were much deeper and stronger, and we won that match in convincing manner. We just haven't played well on numerous fronts since that match."

Senior Robert Dula started off the victories in the No. 1 singles spot, by defeating Mikus Losbergs who was undefeated in the conference and given the Big Sky Player of the Week award already this season. Dula had a back-and-forth battle and came out on top in both sets 6-4.

The next victory on the single side of the court was in the No. 4 spot, from junior Flavien Raveau. He lost his first set 3-6, but won his next two sets in tiebreakers. He eventually defeated Louis Chabut 3-6, 7-6, 7-6.

Junior Ricardo Almeida clinched the fourth win needed for the Eagles to win the match. He defeated Hermont Legaspi in three sets, 6-0, 5-7, 6-4.

Junior Vuk Vuckovic finished off the singles with another victory, defeating his opponent Christopher Clayton 7-5, 3-6, 6-4.

The two singles losses were from sophomore Victor Pereira who had a close battle with his opponent, Dom Miller (6-4, 7-5) and junior Scott Paz who had another three-set match against Kasparas Zemaitelis (3-6, 7-5, 6-3).

On the doubles side, Dula and Pereira teamed up and won 6-3 against Losbergs and Miler. Almeida and Wacil Bendjelti defeated their opponents Chabut and Legaspi 6-3. Paz and Vuckovic fell 6-3 to Clayton and Zemaitelis.

"It was great to see some guys pull out some tough matches, especially when they had the lead early or gave up on them," Clark said. "It was equally pleasant to see guys come from behind in the clutch."
 

Sacramento State was just one of two matches of the day for the Eagles. After their exciting win over the Hornets, EWU defeated Whitworth University 7-0.

Dula continued dominating on the court as he won 6-1 in both sets against his opponent Shane Sandlin. Paz was in the No. 2 singles spot for this match and won both sets 6-2 against Caleb Hughes.

Flavien and Vuckovic both kept up their victories by defeating their opponents 6-1, 6-2. Senior Wacil Bendjelti played in the No. 6 singles spot, winning 6-2, 6-1 and Almeida won 6-4, 6-1. Freshman Garner Sears also competed in a pro-set, winning 8-4 over Nick Hughes.

In doubles, Dula and Pereira teamed up again, winning 6-0. Paz and Raveau along with Bendjelti and junior Luke Ness won their matches 6-1.

With these two wins, EWU is now 3-2 overall and 1-0 in the Big Sky standings.

The next match for the tennis team will be another Big Sky matchup, on Feb. 17 at Portland State. Matches will begin at noon.

"We have a long season ahead of us and work to be done," Clark said. "The good thing is the areas we have to work on are much easier after a solid weekend. Winning sure makes the harder work during the following week more pleasant. "

Eastern Washington 5, Sacramento State 2

Singles

1. DULA, Robert (EWU) def. LOSBERGS, Mikus (SAC) 6-4, 6-4
2. MILLER, Dom (SAC) def. PEREIRA, Victor (EWU) 6-4, 7-5
3. ZEMAITELIS, Kasparas (SAC) def. PAZ, Scott (EWU) 3-6, 7-5, 6-3
4. RAVEAU, Flavien (EWU) def. CHABUT, Louis (SAC) 3-6, 7-6, 7-6
5. ALMEIDA, Ricardo (EWU) def. LEGASPI, Hermont (SAC) 6-0, 5-7, 6-1

6. VUCKOVIC, Vuk (EWU) def. CLAYTON, Christopher (SAC) 6-0, 5-7, 6-4

Doubles

1. DULA, Robert/PEREIRA, Victor (EWU) def. MILLER, Dom/LOSBERGS, Mikus (SAC) 6-3
2. CLAYTON, Christopher/ZEMAITELIS, Kasparas (SAC) def. PAZ, Scott/VUCKOVIC, Vuk (EWU) 6-3

3. ALMEIDA, Ricardo/BENDJELTI, Wacil (EWU) def. CHABUT, Louis/LEGASPI, Hermont (SAC) 6-3

Eastern Washington 7, Whitworth 0

Singles

1. DULA, Robert (EWU) def. Sandlin, Shane (WHTW) 6-1, 6-1
2. PAZ, Scott (EWU) def. Hughes, Caleb (WHTW) 6-2, 6-2
3. RAVEAU, Flavien (EWU) def. Bethards, Jake (WHTW) 6-1, 6-2

4. ALMEIDA, Ricardo (EWU) def. Fisher, Ian (WHTW) 6-4, 6-1
5. VUCKOVIC, Vuk (EWU) def. Vulis, Jeffrey (WHTW) 6-1, 6-2
6. BENDJELTI, Wacil (EWU) def. Bethards, Ben (WHTW) 6-2, 6-1

Doubles

1. DULA, Robert/PEREIRA, Victor (EWU) def. Sandlin, Shane/Bethards, Jake (WHTW) 6-0

2. PAZ, Scott/RAVEAU, Flavien (EWU) def. Bethards, Ben/Hughes, Caleb (WHTW) 6-1
3. BENDJELTI, Wacil/NESS, Luke (EWU) def. Fisher, Ian/Vulis, Jeffrey (WHTW) 6-1

Match Notes: SEARS, Garner (EWU) def. HUGHES, Nick 8-4.