The Sacramento State men’s tennis team defeated Montana 4-3 in the Big Sky semi-finals Saturday at Gold River Racquet Club.

Junior co-captain Sven-David Rueff was the hero for the Hornets. With the score tied 3-3, he trailed 2-3 in the third set of his match after splitting the first two sets 6-3, 5-7. He battled back to win the third set 6-3 and vaulted the Hornets into the Big Sky Conference finals.

“This match was more difficult than we thought and I guess it just came down to me,” Rueff said.

Rueff’s victory was his 11th in a row and 14th of the season.

Sophomore co-captain Anton Stryhas and freshman Kiryl Harbatsiuk also had singles wins and the Hornets won the doubles point with victories in the No. 1 and No. 3 matches. Stryhas’ victory was his 19th straight this year.

The Hornets play Eastern Washington in the finals at 2 p.m. today at Gold River Racquet Club.

“It’s really good that we won today but we need to win tomorrow still,” Rueff said.

The winner of the final match will go to the NCAA Tournament.

Cameron Ross can be reached at [email protected]