SACRAMENTO -- In a do or die match, Sacramento State received singles wins from
Freddie Healey,
Nick Bowles,
Doni Gashi and
David Dai to highlight a 5-2 win over Portland State on Thursday afternoon on campus.
In the biggest match of the year, and regular season finale, Sacramento State came through. Both the Hornets and Vikings entered the match knowing what was at stake. The winner would claim the sixth and final spot into the Big Sky Conference Tournament, while the losing team's season would come to an end.
Sacramento State, which has been good at home all season, once again played well on the home courts. The Hornets conclude the regular season 11-11 overall, 2-5 in the Big Sky, and 8-4 at home. That includes four wins in the team's last five matches at home.
The Hornets also played without No. 1 singles player
Martin Duris who missed his third straight contest with injury. Despite the entire lineup moving up one spot in the ladder, Sacramento State was able to claim victory and the No. 6 seed at next week's Big Sky Tournament in Phoenix, Ariz. (April 23-25). The top six teams in the eight-member conference qualify for the tournament. The Hornets open the tourney on Thursday in the quarterfinal round at 8 a.m. PT against the No. 3 seed (opponent still to be decided).
The Hornets have zero seniors on the roster and used two freshmen, three sophomores and one junior in today's singles lineup.
"I'm really proud of this group," Sacramento State first-year head coach
Mikus Losbergs said. "We talked all year about putting ourselves in position to compete in the Big Sky Tournament, and to come out today and earn it on our home courts means a lot. This was one of our goals from day one, but it's not the end goal. We believe we can do more."
Sacramento State began the match by picking up the doubles point as the No. 2 team of Healey/Gashi (6-0), and No. 3 team of Bowles/
Miles Whitehead (6-2) each posted quick victories.
The Hornets then secured straight set singles wins from Healey at No. 1, and Dai at No. 4. Bowles (No. 2) and Gashi (No. 3) both won their matches in three sets.
Bowles is now a team-best 14-5 this spring in singles play, while Healey is 10-6.
