Shockers Ilija Cuic and Tin Ostojic took out No. 1 and 2 seeds en route to a doubles championship at the Midland Fall Invitational this weekend in Midland, Tex.

The Croatian duo won 8-3 over Andy Bettles and Brenden McClain of Boise State to bring the doubles title home to WSU for the second straight year.

“It was a good run for us in doubles,” Cuic said, “We started off a little shaky [when] losing an early break but we battled right back. Our doubles play is already strong and it’s only going to get better.”

Cuic and Ostojic received a bye in the first round, and defeated a doubles team from Abilene Christian 8-3 in the second round. They then defeated the No. 2 seed from Oklahoma State 8-6 to earn a spot in the invitational’s final round.

“The season is long and tiring and it’s going to require a lot of work and good team spirit to accomplish what we plan to,” Cuic said. “We’re ready to make one more stop forward to make this program better.”

The team also played singles matches during the weekend, but didn’t fair as well. Ostojic was the only Shocker to make it to the round of 16 after defeating Trey Daniel from TCU 7-6, 4-6, 6-2. He then played the No. 1 seed Soren Hess-Olesen from Texas and fell in three sets 2-6, 6-2, 6-0.

Returning tennis standouts also made a run in doubles play into the quarterfinals before losing at the hands of New Mexico, 8-3.

“It was a great tournament to open the season,” said Gregurovic, “We’re still getting in the rhythm of playing matches and I hope to play better at the All-American Championship.”

Shocker’s men’s tennis will play next at the ITA All-American Championships on Saturday, Sept. 28.