The past three seasons the Illinois State men’s tennis team has developed a rivalry with conference opponent Wichita State. After losing, 4-3, to Wichita in 2009, the Redbirds won the past two years, 4-3.

This season, however, WSU prevailed over ISU with a 6-1 victory at the Genesis Health Club in Witchita, Kan., this past weekend.

“It’s not an easy trip to come to Wichita,” ISU head coach Cris James said.

In doubles play, Alexander Pelaez and Tuomas Manner lost to WSU’s Matheus Pereira and David Cavalcanti, 9-7, in the No. 1 position.

Guillermo Nicol and Tomislav Gregurovic paired up to win the No. 2 flight against ISU’s Jacob Wilson and Skip Span, 8-1.

ISU got its lone doubles win when Willi Peter and Jordan Badenko won their match against Juan Estenssoro and Erick Reyes, 9-7.

Ryan Hansen / Daily Vidette Staff Photographer: Skip Span won ISU’s only singles match against Wichita State this past weekend, but the ‘Birds fell to the Shockers, 6-1.

“The doubles point came down to the No. 1 spot,” James said. “Alex and Tuomas have been great all year and their No. 1 doubles is very good. It was a good match, but we just didn’t get it done. If we could have won that match, we would have had our chances today.”

Pelaez also lost in the No. 1 singles spot, 6-2, 6-3, against Pereira.Cavalcanti beat Manner, 7-6, 2-6, 10-7, in the No. 2 spot. Skip Span won ISU’s only singles match in the No. 3 slot against Gregurovic, 6-1, 6-4, 6-4.

Nicol defeated Peter, 2-6, 6-4, 10-8, in the No. 4 flight, and Reyes was able to take down Wilson, 6-1, 6-1, in the No. 5 spot.

Estenssoro finished off singles play when he beat Badenko, 6-3, 6-3.

The loss drops ISU’s record to 6-11 overall and 1-2 in the Missouri Valley Conference.

“We just have to play better,” said James. “The highest we can finish in the MVC now is third, which is what we will try to do [this] weekend by winning both of our matches.”

ISU will face Bradley on Friday  at the Gregory Street Tennis Courts at 1 p.m. After Bradley, ISU will travel to Southern Illinois Sunday.