FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. – The Northern Arizona men's tennis team welcomed the Big Sky's best, Idaho, into town for the Lumberjacks first home match of the season. After dropping the doubles point, the Lumberjacks fought back to defeat the Vandals 5-2 for NAU's first win in the Big Sky this season.

"I am very proud with the way the guys fought today," said head coach Ki Kroll. "They were a good example of how tough of a team we can be. Now we need to keep things going."

Northern Arizona received stellar play from its top three players in singles play to lead NAU to a victory coming from Jordan Gobatie, Eden Peleg and Alexandre Locci. Idaho took the early 1-0 lead with wins on courts one and two in doubles play. NAU responded with a win from Locci against Cristobal Ramos Salazar on court 7-5, 6-1 for the Lumberjacks first win of the day. Peleg followed Locci's win with a 6-3, 7-5 victory over Felipe Fonseca, giving NAU its second straight win in singles.

Gobatie led the charge on court one with a 7-5, 6-7 (8), 6-4 win over Odon Barta to take the 3-2 lead over the Vandals. Freshman Adi Zilberstein clinched the win for the Lumberjacks on court six with a 6-3, 6-4 victory over Alberto Sanz to give NAU its first win since Feb. 14 against New Mexico State.

The Vandals were 10-4 when they met the Lumberjacks, posting a perfect 3-0 record in the Big Sky. NAU will be back in action this Friday and Saturday for their first Big Sky road trip of the season against North Dakota and Northern Colorado to close out the weekend.

Results

Singles

1. Jordan Gobatie (NAU) def. Odon Barta (UI) 7-5, 6-7 (8), 6-4

2. Eden Peleg (NAU) def. Felipe Fonseca (UI) 6-3, 7-5

3. Alexandre Locci (NAU) def. Cristobal Ramos Salazar (UI) 7-5, 6-1

4. Jackson Varney (UI) def. Kester Black (NAU)6-2, 4-6, 6-3

5. Felix Schumann (NAU) def. Mark Kovacs (UI) 6-4, 6-4

6. Adi Zilberstein (NAU) def. Alberto Sanz (UI) 6-3, 6-4

Order of Finish: 2, 1

Doubles

1. Jackson Varney/ Cristobal Ramos Salazar (UI) def. Kester Black/Adi Zilberstein (NAU) 6-3

2. Odon Barta/Felipe Fonseca (UI) def. Alexandre Locci/Jordan Gobatie (NAU) 6-4

3. Mark Kovacs/Alberto Sanz (UI) vs. Eden Peleg/Felix Schumann (NAU) 5-4 Unfinished

Order of Finish: 3, 2, 4, 1, 6, 5