Bobcats Host Sacramento State in Crucial Big Sky Men's Tennis Match on Sunday

Friday, April 10

Bozeman

1 pm

Montana State University

Sacramento State

David Ismanescu celebrates with Yassin Elaroussy

Photo by: Bobcat Creative Services

Bobcats Host Sacramento State in Crucial Big Sky Men's Tennis Match on Sunday

4/9/2026 6:03:00 PM | Men's Tennis

MSU continues to fight for a spot in the Big Sky Tournament

By: Bill Lamberty

BOZEMAN, Mont. (April 9, 2026) – Montana State's men's recent run of men's tennis success isn't exactly a last-shall-be-first situation, but it's not far from that.

The Cats stand 6-11 on the season, 2-3 in Big Sky play, but own wins in two of the last four outings with a narrow 4-3 loss to three-time defending Big Sky champion Northern Arizona. "We're playing better right now," second-year head coach Mateus Ceolin said, and he cites a simple reason.

"It's the parity of this team," he said. It's how even we are from top to bottom."

MSU's lineup depth gets another test on Friday, when perennial Big Sky power Sacramento State (10-9 overall, 1-3 Big Sky) visits the Bobcat-Anderson Tennis Center for a 1 pm showdown with serious conference tournament implications. The Bobcats (6-11 overall) stand 2-3 in league play, part of a clump of six teams fighting for the lower four spots in the championship event.

While Northern Arizona is once again in the league's catbird seat at 6-0, and Montana is 3-1, the rest of the standings are murky. Idaho State is 3-2, while Idaho is tied with MSU at 2-3, but the Bobcats own the tie-breaker with a league win over the Vandals. Portland State is 2-4 and Weber State is 1-4.

Montana State's lineup parity shines brightly in the team's success at the lower ladder positions. The Cats own a 10-6 record at No 5 singles, and stand 10-7 at No. 6. The 20 wins at those two ladder spots matches the 20 wins at the top four positions.

"If you come out to practice on a daily basis, there's not a single day that one player is dominant," Ceolin said. "Everything is so even. So I think this competition in practice and how even guys are really helps us at the bottom."

While MSU's lower ladder spots have thrived, the players at the top of the order also continue to develop against the league's strongest competition. Sophomore Yassin Elaroussy owns an 8-8 mark, including 3-5 since moving into the No. 1 position, while Andre Stewart' 3-12 record includes two wins in seven opportunities at No. 2. Sophomores Oumar Diallo (3-8) and Camille Chantron (3-13) and freshmen David Ismanescu (6-5) and Ethan Masselis (8-1) shuttle between spots three and six.

"The guys are all showing good fight," Ceolin said. "Regardless of their record, they're each giving us a chance in every match. That's what we're looking for."

Competitive parity has helped the team survive a rash of mid-season injuries. Diallo, Ismanescu and Masselis have all missed time. Their absence has allowed sophomore Eddie Biss the opportunity to establish himself as one of the team's mainstays. He is 6-4, and won the clinching point in Sunday's victory over Weber State. Freshman Max Calaquian owns a 3-4 mark.

After Friday's match, which is free and open to the public, the Cats close the regular season hosting Montana on April 18. The Big Sky Tourney begins April 23 in Phoenix.

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