BEAVERTON, Ore. – The Portland State men's tennis team opened its conference season on Saturday morning, falling 5-2 to Montana State at the Tualatin Hills Tennis Center.
 
The loss dropped the Vikings to 3-4 overall and 0-1 in Big Sky play. The Bobcats improved to 5-4 overall and 1-0 in conference play.
 
Luka Jovanovic and Hubert Theriault claimed the first doubles victory 6-4 playing at No. 3, but Montana State quickly earned wins on courts one and two which secured the Bobcats' first point of the match and an early lead.
 
The Bobcats rattled off three consecutive singles victories at courts one, four, and three to clinch the match. Court two saw Andrea Brignacca take a decisive 6-1 first set before ultimately falling to his opponent in a three-set duel.
 
Theriault won his first career Big Sky singles match playing at the number five spot after defeating Andre Stewart 6-4, 7-5. At No.6, Simon Kuszynski earned a win over Jacob Huppin 7-6(4), 6-4.
 
The Vikings will hope to bounce back tomorrow (Sunday, Feb. 25th) against conference foe Eastern Washington at the Tualatin Hills Tennis Center (10 am).