PSU's Castelo Branco Earns First #BigSkyTennis Men's Player of the Week Honor
OGDEN, Utah (February 20, 2019) – After collecting two wins playing No. 2 singles and going a combined 3-1 on the week, Portland State senior Lucas Castelo Branco has been tabbed the Big Sky Conference Men’s Tennis Player of the Week for the first time in his career.
Portland State opened the week with a 5-2 win over two-time defending champion Idaho for the program’s first win over the Vandals. Castelo Branco and Matteo Fortini began the match by leading the Vikings to the doubles point with a 6-0 victory at No. 2. The Teresina, Brazil native then recorded a straight-set win at No. 2 over Valentin Popescu, 6-4, 7-6, for PSU’s third point of the day.
Against Sacramento State, Castelo Branco was victorious in singles action with a 2-6, 6-1, 6-4 win over Dom Miller to put the Vikings ahead 3-2 before the Hornets rallied for two wins to take the match. Castelo Branco’s lone loss on the weekend came in a 6-4 setback at No. 2 doubles.
Castelo Branco moved to 5-3 on the season in singles and 5-2 in doubles play.
Other Nominees: Donald Hall, Sacramento State; Peter Trhac, Idaho State; Salvador Mijares, Southern Utah; Kyle Pease, Northern Colorado
2019 Big Sky Men’s Tennis Player of the Week
Feb. 20 – Lucas Castelo Branco, Portland State
Feb. 13 – Kris van Wyk, Weber State
Feb. 6 – Mikus Losbergs, Sacramento State
Jan. 30 – Tim Handel, Northern Arizona
Jan. 23 – Agustin Tamagnone, Southern Utah
Jan. 16 – Fynn Lohse, Idaho State