BOZEMAN, Mont. --- The Sacramento State men''s tennis team defeated Weber State for the second time in a week, 4-1, in the Big Sky Conference Tournament semifinals Saturday afternoon at the Montana State Tennis Complex. With the win, the Hornets moved into the championship match for the fifth-consecutive season and will face host Montana State, who defeated Northern Arizona, 4-0, in the second semifinal. Sacramento State will be seeking its second-consecutive Big Sky title and its fourth title in the last five years. In 2000, the Hornets lost to Montana State, 4-2 in the championship match. With the win over WSU, the Hornets improved its record to 11-10 overall and 5-0 in the Big Sky.Sacramento State began the day by winning the doubles point by winning two of the three doubles matches. In the No. 1 doubles match, senior Sherif Zaher and freshman Matthew Jones defeated Don Williams and Daniel Salvato, 8-5. Sophomore Nick Sheehan and senior Josh Price won their match over Daniel Abeaboeru and Vlad Baherncu, 8-3. Senior Fabio Jesus and freshman Peter Farkas'' match with Daniel Lindley and Philip Ivanov was not completed because the doubles point had been clinched.
In singles play, the Wildcats won its only point when Zaher was defeated by Williams at the No. 1 position, 6-3, 6-4. Jesus won his match over Salvato, 6-3, 6-2, at the No. 2 spot. Jesus'' win clinched the match for the Hornets. Jones won his No. 3 singles over Lindley, 6-2, 6-2. Freshman Ali Abbou defeated Ivanov at the four, 6-0, 6-3. Sheehan and Farkas did not play their respected matches against Bahrencu and Abeaboeru.
The Big Sky championship match between Sacramento State and Montana State will take place Sunday morning at 10 a.m. MDT.
Sacramento State 4, Weber State 1
Singles
#1 - Sherif Zaher (SAC) def. by Don Williams (WSU) 6-3, 6-4
#2 - Fabio Jesus (SAC) def. Daniel Salvato (WSU) 6-3, 6-2
#3 - Matt Jones (SAC) def. Kenny Lindley (WSU) 6-2, 6-2
#4 - Ali Abbou (SAC) def. Philip Ivanov (WSU) 6-0, 6-3
#5 - Nick Sheehan (SAC) vs. Vlad Bahrencu (WSU) DNP
#6 - Peter Farkas (SAC) vs. Daniel Abeaboeru (WSU) DNP
Doubles
#1- Zaher/Jones (SAC) def. Salvato/Williams (WSU) 8-5
#2- Jesus/Farkas (SAC) vs. Lindley/Ivanov (WSU) DNF
#3- Sheehan/Price (SAC) def. Abeaboeru/Bahrencu (WSU) 8-3
