CHENEY, Wash. – The Northern Arizona University men's tennis team dropped a heartbreaker this afternoon (March 5) to the defending Big Sky champions University of Idaho with a final score of 4-3. Northern Arizona falls to 4-7 overall, 1-2 in conference play, with a chance to bounce back tomorrow (March 6) against current league leader Eastern Washington University.

"It was a tough loss for us today," Head Coach Ki Kroll said. "We'll need to rebound tomorrow against a hungry Eastern Washington team."

With wins at No. 1 and No. 2 doubles, the Lumberjacks had a lot of confidence heading into singles play. Newcomers Tim Handel and Ruben Montano took down Artem Vasheshnikov and Jackson Varney 6-4 to improve to 4-4 overall and 2-1 against Big Sky opponents. Doubles tandem Lucas Taylor and Adi Zilberstein, paired together for the first time this season, also won a close one 7-6(3) at line two.

The Vandals were firing on all cylinders in singles play after dropping the doubles point, but sophomore Felix Schumann and freshman Thomas Fisher both picked up wins on courts three and six respectively.  Schumann defeated Vasheshnikov in straight sets 6-3, 6-2 to capture his fourth win of the season and first win at line three. Fisher also reeled in a point for NAU taking down Lucas Coutinho 3-6, 7-5, 6-3. Fisher's win marks the first of his career.

Northern Arizona is set to face 7-5 Eastern Washington tomorrow afternoon. The Eagles have yet to drop a match to Big Sky opponents as they sit at 3-0. Match time is set for 12 p.m. MST in Cheney, Wash.

Results

Doubles

1. Tim Handel/Ruben Montano (NAU) def. Artem Vasheshnikov/Jackson Varney (ID) 6-4
2. Lucas Taylor/Adi Zilberstein (NAU) def. Odon Barta/Felipe Fonseca (ID) 7-6(3)
3. Mark Kovacs/Lucas Coutinho (ID) def. Felix Schumann/Jackson Lee (NAU) 6-2

Order of Finish: 3, 1, 2

Singles

1. Odon Barta (ID) def. Tim Handel (NAU) 6-0, 6-4
2. Felipe Fonseca (ID) def. Lucas Taylor (NAU) 7-5, 5-7, 6-3
3. Felix Schumann (NAU) def. Artem Vasheshnikov (ID) 6-3, 6-2
4. Jackson Varney (ID) def. Ruben Montano (NAU) 7-6(4), 6-4
5. Mark Kovaks (ID) def. Jackson Lee (NAU) 2-6, 6-2, 7-5
6. Thomas Fisher (NAU) def. Lucas Coutinho (ID) 3-6, 7-5, 6-3

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