The first road win of the Big Sky season. The first-ever win in Pocatello. The first home loss for Idaho State in 2019. There were a lot of firsts for the Portland State men's tennis team on Friday, but none as important as the following. The Vikings have clinched a spot in the Big Sky tournament in back-to-back seasons for the first time in program history.

The Vikings have built off last season's record-setting year and have now secured their place in Phoenix on April 25. Portland State will be the No. 4 seed at the tournament next weekend, the Vikings' highest Big Sky finish ever.

The road has proved difficult for the Vikings this year. After a 4-1 start to the conference season with all five matches at home, Portland State had come into the last weekend of the season still on the edge of qualifying.

"It was a very tough match as we are on the road against a good team and lost the doubles point," head coach Toby Krauel said. "We played outdoors for the first time since Southern Utah, the wind was very strong and the sun was a factor. The team played with unwavering conviction and gutted out a huge road win!"

One of the strong suits for the Vikings through the three-match conference losing streak was doubles. When Idaho State won the doubles point on Friday, it could have shaken the confidence of the Vikings. Instead, they responded by winning five of the six singles matches for a massive road win.

Tommy Edwards and Avery West won the lone doubles match of the day 6-4 for the Vikings, their 10th win together this season. The best team in program history extended their own record with their 25th career win together.

The Vikings fell in the other two doubles matches, going to a tiebreaker at No. 2 and dropping a 6-1 result at No. 3.

Sam Roberts picked up the first point of the singles competition, cruising to a 6-0, 6-1 win at No. 6. Then at No. 1, Matteo Fortini won his 12th overall match of the season. He knocked off David Felix 6-4, 6-2 to put the Vikings ahead 2-1.

An improbable comeback by Nikola Dimitrijevic put the Vikings one point away from clinching. He won the first set 6-3 at No. 5 before falling behind in the second set. He responded, winning five straight games to put the Vikings ahead 3-1.

"We stormed back in the singles, Sam rolled and played flawless tennis," Krauel said. "Matteo pulled out a tight first set but cruised in the second to give us the lead. Niko won the first set, but rallied from a 2-5 second-set deficit to win 7-5."

Then Edwards delivered the winning point, a fitting result to clinch the postseason appearance. Edwards bounced back after dropping the first set, winning 3-6, 6-3, 6-2 to put the Vikings ahead 4-1. The win moves Edwards to 14 total this season, the third best year in Viking history.

"Edwards lost the first but rallied winning the second and third sealing the fourth point. Fitting that Tommy sealed the deal as he moved to 14-4 on his incredible season," Krauel said.

Lucas Castelo Branco fought off multiple match points to win a super tiebreaker at No. 2 while Idaho State won its lone singles match at No. 4 to round out the dual. Portland State is now 11-7 on the season, the third best year in program history, and has guaranteed its highest-ever Big Sky finish.

A weekend of possible firsts isn't done yet, as the Vikings take on Weber State Sunday with a chance to beat the Wildcats for the first time in program history. They could also get revenge on the team that knocked them out of the tournament last year.

MATCH NOTES: The Vikings are now 6-10 all-time against Idaho State … The Vikings clinched a Big Sky tournament appearance for the second straight season. This is the second-ever appearance for the Vikings under the current postseason format … Tommy Edwards now has the third best season in Viking history with 14 singles wins … Matteo Fortini won his 12th match of the season, moving him into a tie for sixth in program history … Edwards/West extended their own program record with their 25th career win … Lucas Castelo Branco tied a single season program record with his ninth win at No. 2 singles.