The slow, but competitive section of the Idaho women’s tennis team’s schedule is over and the final stretch consists of seven matches in four weeks in preparation for the WAC Championships.
The Vandals (13-5, 0-1 WAC) have only played two matches since March 4 and coach Daniel Pollock said Idaho’s match against the Portland Pilots (4-8) Sunday in Spokane will be a chance to see how his team responds after a couple weeks off.
“I think the girls have plenty of rest … they are ready to go,” Pollock said. “It’s kind of that point in the season where you would almost rather be playing matches than practicing.”
He said there is not much more Idaho can work on at this point in the season.
“We just (have to) get as sharp as we can and honestly I think they are ready to start playing matches again,” Pollock said.
Volunteer Assistant Coach Natalie Kirch said the break came at a good time for Idaho.
“We had a lot of matches back-to-back early on so having that break allowed (Idaho) to recover and be fresh for the rest of the matches,” Kirch said.
The Pilots are a solid test for the Vandals because the two teams typically play close matches. Last year Idaho defeated Portland 4-3 after Vicky Lozano pulled out a grueling 7-5 win in the third set to win the match. Senior and team captain Molly Knox remembers it well.
“Last year we had a close match with them but I think this year it should be more favorable in our direction, especially with how well we have been doing in doubles,” Knox said.
The Vandals have only lost one of their last seven matches and Knox said it definitely helps going into this weekend confident. She said Idaho’s level of play cannot drop against a team like Portland.
“You have to come with your full game every time and I think everyone on the team after this week off is ready to get back into action and play some more matches,” Knox said.
Pollock said the Vandals are at the point in the season where they need to hit their stride. He said the momentum the team is carrying will help Idaho win through the rest of the season.
“They should be comfortable going into matches by now because we have played a lot and won a lot so there should be no real issues with their match confidence,” Pollock said.
Kirch said the location of the match gives Idaho a slight advantage.
“We play in Spokane a few times throughout the year so it’s definitely a more familiar facility for us than for Portland,” Kirch said.
Pollock said a few Idaho players are familiar with the location and played Porltand last year, but he wouldn’t consider it a home match.
“It’s still pretty far from home but I’m sure we will get some Vandal fans out there,” Pollock said. “(Portland Pilots) are playing on those same courts the day before (the Vandals) get there so I think both teams will be equally prepared to play in that facility.”
The Pilots face Washington State Thursday and Gonzaga Saturday, making Idaho their third-straight road match.
“If the matches are pretty quick then it won’t matter much but if they are long matches then maybe they will be tired and ready to go home,” Pollock said.
The match will be held indoors, but Idaho has started outside practice, weather permitting. Knox said sunshine would be nice, and the team is ready for outdoor matches to begin.
“We know conference is outdoors so it’s best to start preparing ourselves now,” Knox said.
Portland is riding a three-game losing streak and Idaho hopes to keep the Pilots grounded. Idaho returns home for three-straight home matches starting at 10 a.m. April 6 against Weber State.
Charles Crowley can be reached at [email protected].