Box Score The Portland State men's tennis team showed just how dangerous it can be in the 2019 season opener against Seattle. The Viking men swept the doubles competition and won five of six singles matches for a resounding 6-1 victory in Eugene.

"Today was a great overall match," head coach Toby Krauel said. "It was a great overall match, the guys played focused and hard. It's a great way to start the season."

The Vikings saw some players return to roles they've excelled in the past combine with a perfect day for the newcomers.

Newcomers Matteo Fortini and Lucas Castelo Branco not only held down the top two singles spots, but they also formed a dominant No. 2 doubles team. The duo knocked off Ghazaryan/Schoettler 6-1 to help open the competition.

Krauel knew what to expect from the other two doubles teams, which he carried over from last season. Westwards (Tommy Edwards and Avery West) won 6-4 at No. 1 singles to extend their own program record to 16 wins at No. 1 singles.

At No. 3, the team of Sam Roberts and Majeed Bukhari won 6-1 as the Vikings took the doubles point.

The domination continued to singles, where the Vikings won five matches in straight sets. Fortini defeated Arshak Ghazaryan 6-2, 6-2 at the No. 1 spot for his first win as a Viking. Castelo Branco also won by a score of 6-2, 7-5 in his debut match at No. 2.

The third Viking newcomer, Nikola Dimitrijevic, didn't drop a game in his first match. He defeated Jim Bauer 6-0, 6-0.

Tommy Edwards tied his doubles partner in the record book with with eighth career win at No. 3 singles. He won 6-3, 6-1 against Adrian Sanabria. Otto Holtari won at No. 5 singles 6-4, 6-1 for his eighth career win, putting him into second all-time at PSU.

The success in the opening match is impressive, but the Vikings still have the biggest match of the weekend coming tomorrow.

"This was a good confidence builder going into our crosstown match tomorrow," Krauel said.

The Vikings head across the river to take on University of Portland at 2 p.m. The Vikings are looking for their first win against the Pilots in the all-time series. They are currently 0-11 against their rivals.

MATCH NOTES: The Vikings improved to 10-5 all-time against Seattle… Tommy Edwards moved into a tie for third in program history with eight wins at No. 3 singles … Otto Holtari moved into a tie for second in program history with eight wins at No. 5 singles … Roberts/Bukhari moved into third place in program history with seven wins as a team at No. 3 doubles … Westwards won their 16th career doubles match at No. 1, extending their own program record.