Portland snaps tennis’ five-game winning streak

Gabe Pacheco

Singles victories for Sacramento State’s Sean Kolar and Roy Brandys were not enough to prevail the Hornets over the University of Portland in a 5-2 non-conference defeat on Thursday at Portland’s LP Tennis Center. 

The loss snapped the Hornets (12-11) five-game winning steak and gave them their second defeat in a month’s span. Coming into today’s match, the Hornets were victorious in eight of their last nine matches. 

Sophomore co-captain and team’s top player Marek Marksoo was out because to an ankle injury, but Brandys, who normally plays at No. 3 for the Hornets, became his replacement and earned himself his first victory at the position, beating out Portland’s Ratan Gill.  It was his fourth straight match victory.

Kolar continued his impressive play as well when he earned his four straight match victory against Portland’s Alex Ferrero and has now won 10 out of his last 11 single matches. 

As for the rest of Hornets, senior Aliaksandr Malko fell at the No. 2 spot, while his other teammates followed behind him with defeats in the fourth, fifth and sixth spot. 

In doubles play, the Hornets managed to secure only one victory out of the three matches played. This marked the first time in six games being unable to secure the doubles points. 

The Hornets continue their road trip when they play a Big Sky Conference match against Portland State at 9 a.m.

Gabe can be reached on Twitter at @sh_sports