SEDONA, Ariz. – The Northern Arizona men's tennis team controlled its own destiny this weekend having to win one of two matches at home in order to clinch a spot in the Big Sky Championships. On Saturday, the Lumberjacks (8-12) delivered that win with a 7-0 sweep over Southern Utah for their sixth win in conference.

"Today was a solid performance from all of our players," said head coach Ki Kroll. "We will need to keep our focus and build on this momentum heading into tomorrow's match against Portland State and in the Big Sky Championships."

Out of the three doubles matches played, Southern Utah was able to only win one point out of 19 points. Alexandre Locci and Jordan Gobatie picked up NAU's first win of the day on court two over Taylor Wilko and Brandon Olcott with a 6-0 sweep. Felix Schumann and Kester Black sealed the doubles point for NAU with another 6-0 sweep over Gino Digiancinto and Dario Rios. On court one the duo from Israel, Adi Zilberstein and Eden Peleg, also won their match with a 6-1 win over troy Benson and Ben Spencer.

The Lumberjacks carried the momentum into singles play with dominating wins from top to bottom starting with Black picking up NAU's first win in singles with a 6-2, 6-0 win on court two. Locci followed Black's lead defeating Spencer in straight 6-1 sets. Clicnhing the match for NAU was Zilberstein on court four with a 6-0, 6-0 sweep over Wilko.

In just his third singles match of the season, Tomas Hons stepped into the lineup on court six and was impressive with a 6-2, 6-0 win over Olcott for the Lumberjack's final win of the day. Also filling in the lineup today was another freshman, Jackson Lee, for just his fourth singles match of the season and the Tucson, Ariz. native delivered with a 6-0, 6-1 win over Digiancinto for his second victory of the season.

NAU will close out the regular season tomorrow, April 19, at 9 a.m. against Portland State. The match will take place at Continental Country Club where the Lumberjacks will honor its seniors Black, Gobatie and Colin Gustus.    

Results

Doubles

1. Adi Zilberstein/Eden Peleg (NAU) def. Troy Benson/Ben Spencer (SUU) 6-1
2. Alexandre Locci/Jordan Gobatie (NAU) def. Taylor Wilko/Brandon Olcott (SUU) 6-0
3. Felix Schumann/Kester Black (NAU) def. Gino Digiancinto/Dario Rios (SUU) 6-0

Order of Finish: 2, 3, 1

Singles

1. Alexandre Locci (NAU) def. Ben Spencer (SUU) 6-1, 6-1
2. Kester Black (NAU) def. Dario Rios (SUU) 6-2, 6-0
3. Eden Peleg (NAU) def. Troy Benson (SUU) 7-5, 7-5
4. Adi Zilberstein (NAU) def. Taylor Wilko (SUU) 6-0, 6-0
5. Jackson Lee (NAU) def. Gino Digiancinto (SUU) 6-0, 6-1
6. Tomas Hons (NAU) def. Brandon Olcott (SUU) 6-2, 6-0

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