MISSOULA, Mont. – After a tough loss on Friday, the Portland State women's tennis team bounced back in impressive fashion on Sunday, defeating Montana 6-1 at the PEAK Racquet Club.

Sunday's win marked the Vikings' second victory of the season over Montana, having previously defeated them 4-2 in a non-conference neutral-site matchup earlier this season. The victory improved Portland State's record to 4-6 overall and 3-2 in Big Sky play, while Montana dropped to 3-9 on the season and 1-2 in conference action.

The Vikings started strong by securing the all-important doubles point with wins on the top two courts. As they did on Friday, Portland State mixed up its doubles lineup and this time it paid off. Nika Beukers and Kasumi Hirayama teamed up for the first time, defeating Grace Haugen and Rosie Sterk 6-3 at No. 1. Shortly after, Nene Uemura and Ayra Salim secured the opening point for the Vikings with a 6-2 victory over Monika Fizova and Piper Freeman at No. 2.

PSU then clinched five wins in singles play, three of which came in straight sets. Uemura earned her first Big Sky win on court three, defeating Sterk 6-2, 6-1 to put the Vikings up 2-0. After Montana won at No. 1, Hirayama, Salim, Scarlett Perkins, and Hana Abdelhamid each secured wins to give the Vikings the victory.

Hirayama pulled out a gritty, three-set win at No. 3, coming from behind after a first-set loss to defeat Freeman 2-6, 6-3, 6-2. Despite a recent battle with injury, Perkins showed no signs of weakness on Sunday, clinching the dual for PSU with a 6-2, 6-2 victory over Monika Fizova at No. 5. Meanwhile, Abdelhamid fought her way to a 6-3, 5-7, 6-3 win over Kelsey Phillips on court two. Playing on court six, Salim sealed the 6-1 win for the Vikings with a commanding 6-3, 6-0 victory over Kate Prichard.

The Vikings will return to action at home next weekend as they continue their conference schedule with a dual against Northern Arizona on Sunday, March 23 at the Tualatin Hills Tennis Center (10:00 am).