The Idaho women’s tennis team turned a lot of heads this summer with the recruitment of sophomore Ana Batiri, a transfer student from Virginia Commonwealth.
Batiri played a key role in the success of VCU last spring, compiling an 8-8 record as the program won the Atlantic 10 title and earned a trip to the NCAA tournament. She also went 5-4 in dual play, helping guide her team to a first-round berth in the NCAA tournament against a Virginia opponent that was ranked in the top 10.
While many were surprised at her decision to leave a successful program, Batiri revealed that the choice was an easy one for her.
“We didn’t have the team unity that I was looking for,” Batiri said. “I wanted to play college tennis because of the team environment. The (VCU) coach couldn’t bring that type of atmosphere to that team.”
Among other things, Batiri said she sought a supporting environment around her, an aspect that her previous university lacked.
“Tennis is a very lonely sport … it is great when the team is always together helping and supporting each other,” Batiri said.
The Romanian native first heard of the University of Idaho during a state-by-state search for another college, and was impressed to see the recent success of the program. She then reached out to Mariana Cobra, former Big Sky Coach of the Year and head of the women’s tennis program, who began a passionate recruitment of the sophomore star.
“She really inspired me to come,” Batiri said. “I could tell that she wanted me here on the team.”
Batiri said she was also impressed with the coach’s demeanor and philosophy in her recruitment.
“She had so much energy and positivity,” Batiri said with a chuckle. “And she talked about how the team was like a family. She said that this team was not like any other.”
Batiri hopes to make an immediate impact for the Vandals, who are seeking back-to-back Big Sky championships this season.
“I really want to help the team,” Batiri said. “This is why we are all here and working so hard. We want to win the Big Sky again and become ranked.”
Batiri declined to talk about personal goals for the season and instead pointed out the team goals that have been instilled into the Idaho program since her first day on campus.
“We want to get ranked as high as possible and stay ranked,” she said. “It is easy to slip in and out of the rankings. Consistency would be great for our team.”
During her first month on campus, Batiri has blossomed, saying that she finally feels at home with her new university.
“I love the campus. It’s so beautiful,” she said gesturing toward the surrounding buildings. “And we all spend so much time together as a team because college brings us closer to each other. It’s hard for the freshmen because they’re young and miss their home. But (Cobra) does a nice job of bringing us all together. It feels like a family.”
Batiri said she was excited to represent the Vandals in her first match at the Washington State Invite Oct. 2 in Pullman.
“This is our first tournament,” Batiri said. “And we want to show a good fight and to show our coach that we never give up during the match.”
Josh Grissom can be reached at [email protected]