MOSCOW, Idaho – The Montana State Bobcats men’s tennis team secured a pivotal road victory on Saturday, defeating the University of Idaho Vandals 4-3. The win, fueled by clutch performances from the bottom of the Bobcats’ lineup, snapped a frustrating 22-match losing streak away from home and marked a significant step forward for the program. This Bobcats tennis schedule has been challenging, but the team is showing resilience.
Montana State faced a tough battle against Idaho, falling behind early after the Vandals claimed the doubles point. The Bobcats, however, demonstrated a fighting spirit, rallying behind strong individual performances to ultimately secure the win. The victory is particularly notable given that the team was without a pair of regular starters due to injury, forcing younger players to step up in critical moments.
Bottom of the Lineup Delivers for Bobcats
Trailing 3-2, the Bobcats found themselves relying on their depth. Eddie Biss, playing at the No. 5 singles position, delivered a crucial victory, defeating Eric Wang 6-4, 6-4. Biss’s win shifted the momentum, setting the stage for a dramatic finish. But it was Max Calaquian at No. 6 singles who sealed the deal, battling back from a first-set loss to overcome Noe De Col 3-6, 6-1, 6-4 in a thrilling three-set match. Calaquian’s resilience proved to be the deciding factor.
“I’m proud of the way the guys competed and stayed together from start to finish,” said MSU head coach Mateus Ceolin. “It wasn’t perfect, but the fight and energy made the difference.” Ceolin emphasized the importance of the team’s ability to overcome adversity and maintain a positive attitude throughout the match.
Idaho Gains Early Advantage
The Vandals started strong, capitalizing on their home-court advantage to win two of the three doubles matches. Sander Paradis and Mikolaj Lis defeated Yassin Elaroussy and Andre Stewart 6-3 at No. 1 doubles, while Chetanna Amadike and Gabriel Moroder secured a 6-3 victory over Eddie Biss and Camille Chantron at No. 2. The third doubles match went unfinished, with Paul Janson and Eric Wang leading 5-3 over Oumar Diallo and Max Calaquian.
Idaho carried that momentum into singles play. Chetanna Amadike quickly extended the Vandals’ lead, defeating MSU’s Yassin Elaroussy 6-3, 6-2 at the No. 1 position. However, the Bobcats responded with a pair of wins of their own. Andre Stewart secured a straight-set victory over Paul Janson 6-4, 6-2 at No. 2, and Oumar Diallo battled to a 6-2, 4-6, 6-4 win against Mikolaj Lis at No. 3, leveling the score at 2-2.
Moroder Puts Idaho on the Brink
Gabriel Moroder briefly regained the lead for Idaho, defeating Camille Chantron 6-2, 2-6, 7-5 at No. 4 singles. The match was tightly contested, with both players showcasing impressive skill and determination. Moroder’s victory put the Vandals within one point of securing the overall win, but the Bobcats refused to concede.
The performances of Biss and Calaquian were particularly impressive considering the circumstances. David Ismanescu and Ethan Masselis have been a strong pairing at the lower ladder positions throughout the season, boasting an 11-4 record. However, with both players sidelined due to injury, Biss and Calaquian were called upon to fill the void. Biss has won three of his four completed singles matches, while Calaquian has secured two wins in three attempts.
Looking Ahead
With the win, Montana State improved its overall record to 5-9 and evened its Considerable Sky Conference record to 1-1. Idaho, meanwhile, fell to 8-12 overall and 2-2 in conference play. The Bobcats will return to action next Saturday, traveling to Idaho State for another important Big Sky matchup. Idaho State’s men’s tennis schedule can be found on their website.
The Bobcats’ victory over Idaho represents a significant turning point for the program, demonstrating their ability to overcome adversity and compete at a high level. The team’s resilience and determination will be crucial as they continue their pursuit of a Big Sky Conference championship.
What do you believe of the Bobcats’ comeback win? Share your thoughts in the comments below, and be sure to share this article with fellow tennis fans!
