BEAVERTON, Ore. – The Portland State men's tennis team came up just short in its Big Sky opener on Sunday, falling 4-3 to Sacramento State at the Tualatin Hills Tennis Center.

The loss drops the Vikings to 2-5 overall and 0-1 in conference play, while the Hornets improve to 2-3 (1-0 BSC).

Each team picked up a doubles win to start the match, leaving the opening point to be decided on the top court, where the Hornets secured a 6-3 victory. Simon Kuszynski and Andrin Zuellig claimed the Vikings' lone doubles win at No. 2, handling Hayden Rand and Miles Whitehead 6-1.

Kuszynski added a second win in singles play, improving to 4-2 on the season with a 6-3, 6-3 victory over Whitehead at No. 6. Hubert Theriault followed with a dominant 6-2, 6-1 win over Nick Bowles at No. 3, giving the Vikings a brief lead. However, Sacramento State responded with three straight victories at No. 4, No. 1, and No. 2 to clinch the match. Hayden Elliott ended things on a high note for the Vikings, closing out his match at No. 5 with a comeback win, 2-6, 6-3, 6-1, over Martin Duris.

The Vikings return to action next weekend with two non-conference matchups, facing George Fox on Saturday, Feb. 15 (10 a.m.) and Linfield on Sunday, Feb. 16 (10 a.m.) at the Tualatin Hills Tennis Center.