MOSCOW, Idaho – The North Dakota men's tennis team rallied back from an early deficit with strong performances in singles play to take down the Idaho Vandals, 4-3, and improve to 4-0 on Sunday afternoon inside P1FCU Kibbie Dome.
 
Justin Ilic and Darrshan Suresh Kumar teamed up on the No. 2 court to take a convincing 6-4 win in doubles play that improved their season streak to 3-0. But the home team had already taken control with the 1-0 lead after taking a pair of 6-1 from the No. 1 and No. 3 spots.
 
"We knew today would be a difficult road environment," said associate head coach Kyle Anderson. "Credit to Idaho for taking it to us in doubles."
 
Suresh Kumar responded for the Fighting Hawks in singles action by rallying through a first-set tiebreaker to secure a dominating second set for a 7-6 (7-1), 6-2 win. With the UND's first points now on the board and the match tied up at 1-1, Kotaro Matsumura collected a win at the No. 4 spot with a strong 6-2, 6-4 showing.
 
Another Vandal win at the No. 3 spot tied things up yet again but the Hawks were not done yet.
 
At the top spot, Leo Galliano cruised to a 6-3 first-set win before putting on an absolute show in the second set. He battled his way to a gritty 10-8 tiebreaker victory to take the second set, 7-6, and put UND ahead. Then all eyes turned to the No. 6 court.  
 
Senior captain Christos Alex took the opening set, 6-3, but dropped in the second, 6-3. Alex then put the pedal to the metal and recovered with a match-clinching 6-2 win in the third set to push the Fighting Hawks to victory.
 
"We did an incredible job bouncing back," said Anderson. "All six singles players gave us a chance to win and competed with toughness and belief. This was a character win and a full-team effort."
 
The North Dakota men will return to the road for a three-match weekend, first facing IU Indy on Friday, January 30.  

For more information on North Dakota men's tennis, visit FightingHawks.com or follow on social media @UNDmtennis.