FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. – The Northern Arizona University men's tennis team picked up its fourth consecutive victory and first Big Sky win over the University of Montana this afternoon, Feb. 28, in the Aquatic and Tennis Complex. Montana was preseason picked third in the coaches' poll and today's match against NAU was just its third of the 2016 campaign. The Lumberjacks, who remain undefeated in Flagstaff and move to 4-6 overall, seem to be hitting their stride despite a 0-6 start to the season.

"I'm very happy with today's win; we keep getting a little better each time we play," Head Coach Ki Kroll said. "I can't help but be excited about that. Montana is a very strong team and this afternoon was definitely another positive step in the right direction for us."

Doubles pair Lucas Taylor and Eden Peleg, along with Felix Schumann and Jackson Lee, continue to make a splash at courts two and three respectively. They are a combined 9-0 this season as Taylor/Peleg have won their last five and Schumann/Lee their last four. For the second day in a row, the two pairs captured the doubles point for NAU to take an early 1-0 lead over the Griz.

In singles, Handel was the first to finish as he took down Semion Branzburg in straight sets 6-2, 6-2. Only two Lumberjacks fell short in singles play and Taylor, yet again, clinched the match for Northern Arizona. The freshman is currently undefeated in doubles and holds a 5-1 record at No. 2 singles. Schumann and Montano also put NAU on the board with wins on courts four and five. Schumann grinded out his match versus Yannick Schmidl, after dropping the first set, with a final score of 6-7(5), 6-4, (11-9).

The Lumberjacks look to stay on track with their next match in Flagstaff on Tuesday, March 1 against Loyola Marymount University. The match is set to begin at 1 p.m. in the Aquatic and Tennis Complex.

Results

Doubles

1. Yannick Schmidl/Alexander Canellopoulos (UM) def. Ruben Montano/Tim Handel (NAU) 6-2
2. Lucas Taylor/Eden Peleg (NAU) def. Semion Branzburg/Peter Memnaugh-Fleming (UM) 7-5
3. Felix Schumann/Jackson Lee (NAU) def. Tomasz Soltyka/Victor Casadevall (UM) 6-3

Order of Finish: 1, 3, 2

Singles

1. Tim Handel (NAU) def. Semion Branzburg (UM) 6-2, 6-2
2. Lucas Taylor (NAU) def. Peter Mimnaugh-Fleming (UM) 6-1, 3-6, 6-2
3. Alexander Canellopoulos (UM) def. Eden Peleg (NAU) 7-6(4), 7-6(7)
4. Felix Schumann (NAU) def. Yannick Schmidl (UM) 6-7(5), 6-4, (11-9)
5. Ruben Montano (NAU) def. Tomasz Soltyka (UM) 6-3, 7-5
6. Victor Casadevall (UM) def. Jackson Lee (NAU) 7-6(4), 4-6, (10-0)

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

*Clinched the match