POCATELLO, Idaho -- Despite freshman Mark Keki winning his eighth straight singles match, Sacramento State fell at Idaho State, 6-1, in a Big Sky Conference men's tennis matchup Friday afternoon at Reed Gym.
Keki, a true freshman, continued to shine as he improved to 9-3 in singles play this season, including 3-0 at the No.1 spot in the lineup. Keki has played at either No. 1 or 2 in the lineup all season, including the last three matches in the top spot.
The loss dropped Sacramento State to 3-11 overall and 0-2 in the Big Sky Conference. The Hornets, who have just one match remaining in the season, were eliminated from Big Sky Tournament play. The two-day postseason event will consist of four teams, two from the North Division and two from the South Division. The win allowed Idaho State to secure the second and final spot (along with Northern Arizona) from the South Division.
Sacramento State and Weber State, who are the other teams in the South Division, will play their season finale tomorrow at 11 a.m. PT in Ogden, Utah.
Keki won his match at No. 1 over Patrik Trhac by a 6-4, 4-6, 7-6 score. His match was one of four matchups that lasted three sets today. Hornets to fall in three sets included Hermont Legaspi at No. 2, Michael Vizcarra at No. 3, and Rudolfs Aksenoks at No. 6. Liam Liles (No. 4) and Jan Silva (No. 5) both fell in straight sets.
The Bengals (7-10, 2-1) won the doubles point by getting victories at Nos. 1 and 3 by 6-4 scores.
Singles competition
1. Keki, Mark (SAC) def. Patrik Trhac (ISU) 6-4, 4-6, 7-6
2. Aleksander Petrovic (ISU) def. Legaspi, Hermont (SAC) 6-4, 4-6, 7-6
3. Jaime Castillo-Lopez (ISU) def. Vizcarra, Michael (SAC) 6-1, 2-6, 6-2
4. Hiroki Fujita (ISU) def. Liles, Liam (SAC) 7-5, 6-1
5. Gary Rendek (ISU) def. Silva, Jan (SAC) 6-2, 6-3
6. Wikus Robbertse (ISU) def. Aksenoks, Rudolfs (SAC) 6-4, 2-6, 1-0
Doubles competition
1. Patrik Trhac/Aleksander Petrovic (ISU) def. Keki, Mark/Liles, Liam (SAC) 6-4
2. Vizcarra, Michael/Silva, Jan (SAC) vs. Hiroki Fujita/Wikus Robbertse (ISU) no result
3. Gary Rendek/Jaime Castillo-Lopez (ISU) def. Rodriguez, Carlos/Legaspi, Hermont (SAC) 6-4
