Eagles clinch first conference win over Vikings

CHENEY — The Eagles came out with something to prove, and played some confident tennis. EWU surged to a 6-1 victory over Portland State, winning the doubles point and five out of six singles dual-matches. Eastern moves to 4-10 overall and 1-1 in conference, while Portland State falls to 4-8 and 1-3 in conference play.

The two met for the 24th time in series history. Eastern snapped a five-match losing streak to Portland State, and moved to 9-15 overall against the Vikings. Tjey clinched their first win over Portland State since 2017, when they won 5-2 in Portland. 

The victory gave Eastern their first Big Sky conference win since 2020 when they beat Idaho State 5-2, and their first conference home opener win since 2018 when they defeated Weber State 4-3. The Eagles have already recorded their most wins since the 2019 season, and their largest win since 2017 when they traveled to Utah and defeated Southern Utah 6-1. 

"Our team is really starting to believe in themselves. I've been telling them all season that they have the talent and I believe in what I have seen from them. When you start believing in yourself, start digging in, and playing with your heart, the sky's the limit," head coach Dustin Hinson said.

In doubles, the Eagles would come out with great energy with each position taking an early lead and never trailing. EWU earned their third doubles point of the season. 

The No. 2 position for the Eagles Drew Dillon/Arshjot Bhatti would see the two alternate games before taking a big game six to make it a 4-2 lead. The two would be able to close and clinch the doubles point for the Eagles with a 6-2 win. The duo would each earn their first doubles conference win of the season, and their fourth career victory together. Dillon would record his fourth doubles win of the season and his 16th career doubles dual-match win. Bhatti earned his fourth doubles win of the season, and the eighth of his career. 

Brady Thomas/Caden Kammerer in the No. 3 position would jump out to a 3-0 lead. The two would be able to use that lead and cruise to a 6-2 victory for their second doubles victory together. Kammerer earned his fourth doubles win of the season, and his 12th career doubles dual-match win. Thomas earned his third doubles win of the season and the 10th of his career.

Tyler Dalos/Tyler Waddock performed well in the No. 1 position for the Eagles. After a 4-1 lead, Portland State would take two quick games to cut their deficit to one. The match would go unfinished 4-3 with the No. 2 and 3 positions already clinching their matches. 

"I am just super happy for the guys, and we had a lot of really good wins up and down the lineup, and also with the doubles. That was the most dominating doubles that I've seen all season and I think it just started the match out on right foot," Hinson said.

In singles, the Vikings would respond early with their first four singles each taking an early 1-0 lead. Eastern was able to respond by showing fight, with each of their first four singles taking the first set. 

Tyler Waddock would represent the Eagles in the No. 1 position and respond to an early deficit. Waddock would rally off four quick games and would do so by dominating with his serve. Luca Prino would not go away quietly, as he would steal two games to stay in it. Waddock would use his dominating serve again and win the next game to clinch the 6-3 first set win. Prino would come out firing and win the first two games to take an early lead once again. Using that hot start, Prino would be able to take the second set 6-2 and force a third. Falling behind 4-1, Waddock would be able to win four of the next five games to even it up 5-5. The two would alternate games until a seven-point tiebreaker. Using his serve as he has all match, Waddock came out firing and took a 6-0 lead. Prino fought back winning three straight, but Waddock was too much as he would win his fifth straight singles dual-match and move to 6-6 on the season. With the win, Waddock moved to 2-0 in Big Sky play, and earned his ninth singles victory of his career. 

Tyler Dalos in the No. 2 singles position saw a tight first set. After taking back the lead, Dalos and Edoardo Cravanzola would alternate games and see a 5-5 tie. Dalos would be able to rip two games straight and clinch the first set 7-5. Cravanzola took the early lead in the second, but it would be back and forth before Dalos took the lead back 4-3. Winning a critical ninth game, Dalos clinched the match 6-4 to win his fourth singles dual-match of the season, and the 10th of his career. With the victory, Dalos earned his second career Big Sky conference win.

Senior Drew Dillon would be in the No. 3 position for the Eagles and won a big fifth and sixth game to take the lead back 4-2. Hubert Theriault was able to steal two games, but Dillon clinched the win 6-4 in a very competitive first set. Jumping out to an early 3-2 lead, Dillon would be able to clinch his first conference win of the season with a 6-3 second set win. Dillon earned his third singles dual-match win of the season, and the 10th of his career.

Caden Kammerer would represent the Eagles in the No. 4 position. Kammerer would also see a back and forth battle, but outlasted Andrin Zuellig for a 6-4 first set win. It would be a similar story in the second set with a tight 2-2 early tie, but Zuellig forced a third with a 6-3 win. Kammerer jumped to a 1-0 early lead, but Zuellig would tie it 3-3. After winning a critical seventh game, Kammerer clinched his first career conference win o with a 6-4 victory. Kammerer recorded his sixth singles win of the season, and the 11th of his career. 

In the No. 5 position, Arshjot Bhatti looked very comfortable while taking a dominating 4-0 first set lead. Bhatti cruised to a 6-0 first set victory, and continued his hot start in the second. Taking a 4-1 lead, Hayden Elliott from the Vikings would rip three straight games to tie it. Bhatti would however regain the momentum and close out the second set with a 6-4 win. Bhatti clinched his first career conference win, his fifth win of the season, and the seventh of his career. 

"They just showed that they really wanted it today from the first point of doubles with the desire to compete and win. They showed it from start to finish. They have the grit to give it their all every time they step on the court. It is so rewarding to see those results," Hinson said.