Cheney, Wash. – Coming off a tough loss to the University of Idaho, the Northern Arizona University men's tennis team responded by taking down another Big Sky foe in Eastern Washington University with a final score of 5-2. The Eagles came into this weekend at the top of the conference standings at 3-0 and 7-5 overall, but drop to 7-7 and 3-2 in conference after facing Idaho State on March 5 and Northern Arizona today, March 6.

"It was a hard fought match," Head Coach Ki Kroll said. "And even though we came out slow in doubles, we earned everything else from that point forward. Being able to turn it around in singles was the difference today."

Northern Arizona improves to 5-8 overall and 2-2 in the Big Sky. Although the 'Jacks dropped the doubles point, doubles duo Felix Schumann and Jackson Lee continue to make some noise on court three. With today's 7-5 win over Luke Ness and Rendell Burghart, they are now 5-2 overall, right behind Lucas Taylor and Eden Peleg who remain a perfect 5-0 this season.

The outcome on the doubles end had the Lumberjacks far from rattled, as they dominated in singles by picking up all but one win. Felix Schumann was the first to finish as he tied up the match at 1-1 with his win over Eduardo Bringold on court three. Freshmen Tim Handel and Ruben Montano were the next 'Jacks to finish on top, both in straight sets, at No. 1 and No. 4 singles respectively.

After Eastern Washington was able to come away with the point at line five, the match fell into the lap of newcomer Thomas Fisher. Coming off his first career win against Idaho the day before, Fisher picked up right where he left off and clinched the match against Luke Ness with a final score of 6-3, 6-2. The freshman class combines for 15 singles victories this season; a team-best seven of them coming from Taylor at line two.

Results

Doubles

1. Victor Pereira/Wacil Bendjelti (EWU) def. Tim Handel Ruben Montano (NAU) 6-4
2. Vuk Vuckovic/Eduardo Bringold (EWU) def. Lucas Taylor/Adi Zilberstein (NAU) 6-3
3. Felix Schumann/Jackson Lee (NAU) def. Luke Ness/Rendell Burghart (EWU) 7-5

Order of Finish: 2, 3, 1

Singles

1. Tim Handel (NAU) def. Victor Pereira (EWU) 6-2, 7-5
2. Lucas Taylor (NAU) def. Wacil Bendjelti (EWU) 7-5, 6-7(3), 6-4
3. Felix Schumann (NAU) def. Eduardo Bringold (EWU) 6-1, 6-2
4. Ruben Montano (NAU) def. Vuk Vuckovic (EWU) 6-4, 6-4
5. Rendell Burghart (EWU) def. Jackson Lee (NAU) 6-2, 6-2
6. Thomas Fisher (NAU) def. Luke Ness (EWU) 6-3, 6-2

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

*Clinched the match