BEAVERTON, Ore. - Despite a win from Luka Jovanovic at No. 1 singles, the Portland State men's tennis team fell 6-1 to Gonzaga Saturday afternoon at the Tualatin Hills Tennis Center.
 
The dual marked the Vikings' return to action after nearly two weeks without competition. With the loss, they fell to 4-6, while the Zags improved to 5-4 overall.
 
The Vikings presented a slightly altered lineup in both singles and doubles play on Saturday. Hembo Mathiasen and Jan Semerak paired up for the first time this season at No. 1 doubles, while a fresh pair, Jovanovic and Hayden Elliott, took to court three. Gonzaga took care of business though, claiming wins at lines one and two to secure the opening point. Jovanovic and Elliott held a 6-5 lead when their match was halted.

Portland State continued to battle, extending two matches to a third set in singles play. However, the Zags secured the dual with three consecutive wins in straight sets at lines two, four, and three.
 
Both Cade Edwards and Elliott challenged their opponents at the five and six spots. Elliott, in just his fourth collegiate singles match, started strong with a 6-3 win in the first set but ultimately fell to Tom Dunlop, who claimed the next two sets 6-1, 6-3. Edwards led for much of his opening set before losing to Oscar Rashed, 7-5, 6-2 at No. 5.
 
Jovanovic's match at No. 1 was the last to finish, sending the Vikings out on a positive note. The sophomore was resilient against Gonzaga's veteran No. 1, Sasha Trkulja. After losing the initial set 5-7, Jovanovic responded with a 7-5 victory in the second. The momentum carried him to an early lead in the ten-point tiebreak but Trkulja fought back. However, Jovanovic maintained his composure, securing his first-ever win at No. 1 singles by a score of 5-7, 7-5, 1-0 (10-8).
 
The Vikings face a quick turnaround, hoping to build on Saturday's positives as they prepare for tomorrow (Sunday, March 17). They'll host Montana in their return to conference action starting at 9:00 a.m. at the Tualatin Hills Tennis Center.