BILLINGS, Mont. – Picking up its first victory of the season, the Montana State University Billings men's tennis team rolled to a 7-2 victory over Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference opponent Colorado Christian University Friday morning at the MSUB Tennis Courts.
 
The Yellowjackets (1-9, 1-3 RMAC) won all seven of the matches that were played, with strong efforts all around in the lopsided victory.
 
"It was a good win for the men, even though they were without a full roster," commented MSUB head coach Becky King. "Santiago had another great day with solid wins in singles and doubles. It was great to have the home court advantage today."
 
Santiago de la Rosa Mora had wins at No. 1 singles and No. 1 doubles, pushing his season win total to six. Austin Kische and de la Rosa Mora combined for an 8-3 win over Chase Gebhart and Mitch Swim at No. 1 doubles, while Josh Hedderig and Robert Pike held off David Horner and Trent Strietelmeier 8-4 at No. 2 doubles.
 
In singles action, de la Rosa Mora played brilliantly for an easy 6-1, 6-1 win over Gebhart. Kische followed suit at No. 2 singles, though his win was hard-earned. Facing Swim, Kische battled tough in the first set to win 7-6, and picked up momentum to finish off with a 6-3 triumph.
 
Hedderig took care of business at No. 3 singles 6-3, 6-2 over Horner, and the 'Jackets won the last two singles matches easily. Pike had little trouble with Strietelmeier 6-3, 6-0 at No. 4 singles, while Brandon Beardsley rolled to a 6-1, 6-1 win over Caleb Rold.
 
"Robbie played really well," King said. "He had two solid wins showing great movement and footwork on the court."
 
With the loss, Colorado Christian fell to 1-9 on the season and the Cougars are now 0-3 in conference action.
 
Kische was selected as the St. Vincent Healthcare Player of the Match for his help in the doubles victory and for holding on in a tough singles win for the 'Jackets.
 
Conference play rolls on Saturday for MSUB, as the 'Jackets host Colorado Mesa with a 9 a.m. start time at the MSUB Tennis Courts.
 
Results
Doubles
No. 1 – de la Rosa Mora and Kische (MSUB) def. Gebhart and Swim (CCU) 8-3
No. 2 – Hedderig and Pike (MSUB) def. Horner and Strieltelmeier (CCU) 8-4
No. 3 – CCU won by default
 
Singles
No. 1 – de la Rosa Mora (MSUB) def. Gebhart (CCU) 6-1, 6-1
No. 2 – Kische (MSUB) def. Swim (CCU) 7-6, 6-3
No. 3 – Hedderig (MSUB) def. Horner (CCU) 6-3, 6-2
No. 4 – Pike (MSUB) def. Strietelmeier (CCU) 6-3, 6-0
No. 5 – Beardsley (MSUB) def. Rold (CCU) 6-1, 6-1
No. 6 – CCU won by default