Alberto Fuentes helped the Bocbats into the semifinals of the Big Sky Conference Tournament.
The Bobcats, who entered the tournament as the No. 5 seed, avenged an early season 5-2 loss to No. 4 Weber State.
Montana State (14-10) opened play gaining the first point with victories at No. 2 and 3 doubles.
“The doubles point was crucial,” said MSU men’s coach Mike Phillips. “Weber State earned the doubles point at our place a few weeks ago, and we never recovered. Getting the first point really helps set the tone for the rest of the match.”
Weber State (9-11) tied the match at 1-1 with a win at No. 5 singles. The Bobcats quickly answered at the No. 4 spot as Fletcher Keyes recorded a 6-4, 6-2 decision over Chris Williams. MSU took a 3-1 advantage following Corey Smith’s straight set 6-2, 6-2 win over Sascha Kiehne at No. 1 singles.
Bobcat sophomore Pawel Turzanski closed out the match at No. 3 singles with a hard-fought 6-3, 3-6, 6-2 victory over WSU’s Henning Hipp.
“We played the match with a great sense of urgency,” Phillips said. “We really came together as a team and got the job done. We’re looking forward to the opportunity of having a rematch against Eastern Washington.”
Montana State will face No. 2 Eastern Washington on Saturday morning due to No. 6 Montana’s 4-2 victory over No. 3 Northern Arizona. Montana will meet No. 1 Sacramento State.
Eastern Washington defeated Montana State 7-0 earlier this season in Cheney.
Montana State 4, Weber State 1
Singles: 1. SMITH, Corey (MSU) def. KIEHNE, Sascha 6-2, 6-2; 2. UNGER, Simon (WSU) vs. DYBALA, Jakub (MSU) 6-7, 6-4, unfinished; 3. TURZANSKI, Pawel (MSU) def. HIPP, Henning 6-3, 3-6, 6-2; 4. KEYES, Fletcher (MSU) def. WILLIAMS, Chris (WSU) 6-4, 6-2; 5. COVINGTON, Travis (WSU) def. FUENTES, Alberto (MSU) 6-1, 6-1; 6. MARCHANT, Spencer (WSU) vs. FERRERO, Esteban (MSU) 6-1, 4-6, 3-4, unfinished. Doubles: 1. KIEHNE, Sascha/UNGER, Simon (WSU) vs. DYBALA, Jakub/TURZANSKI, Pawel (MSU) 6-6, unfinished; 2. KEYES, Fletcher/SMITH, Corey (MSU) def. COVINGTON, Travis/HIPP, Henning 8-5; 3. FUENTES, Alberto/PERKINS, Myles (MSU) def. MARCHANT, Spencer/WILLIAMS, Chris 8-6.