The Idaho women’s tennis team defeated North Dakota 6-1 on Friday, but came up short Sunday against Washington State losing 5-2. The victory against North Dakota improved Idaho’s conference record to 4-0.
Doubles play opened with a strong performance from sophomore Marianna Petrei and junior Lucia Badillos. The duo clinched an early lead for the Vandals with a 6-1 victory.
Junior Ana Batiri and sophomore Maria Tavares finished doubles with a 6-1 victory to give Idaho its first point of the evening. Freshman Shion Watabe and freshman Jessica Brzozowska’s match went unfinished.
Looking to build on the hot start, the Vandals entered singles competition.
Petrei earned the first victory for Idaho (6-1, 6-1). Badillos followed in similar fashion, outlasting her opponent 6-2, 6-1. The strong performances boosted the Vandals’ lead to 3-0.
Brzozowska and Tavares were also victorious in singles play. Tavares finished the evening with a 6-1, 6-1 victory and Brzozowska defeated her opponent 6-2, 6-3.
Batiri closed the tournament with a 6-2, 6-0 victory.
Following the impressive victory, Idaho sought a repeat Sunday afternoon against Washington State.
The first point of the day was awarded to Washington State with with a victory in doubles competition.
Watabe and Brzozowska were the first to lose with a score of 6-3, and Petrei and Badillos fell to Washington State 7-5. Batiri and Tavares’ match was not finished.
Down 1-0, the Vandals needed a strong performance in singles competition. Petrei answered when she put Idaho on the scoreboard with a victory of 6-3, 6-1.
Brzozowska fell to her opponent 6-1, 6-3, but Idaho was able to bounce back with a three-set effort from Tavares.
Tavares dropped the first-set 6-4, but was able to rally for the second by winning with a score of 6-4. In the decisive final set, Tavares defeated her opponent 6-3.
The Vandals tied the score at 2-2.Washington State reclaimed the lead at 3-2, after Batiri lost her match 6-0, 6-2.
Washington State would go on to defeat Idaho 5-2 after Badillos and Watabe dropped the final two matches of the evening.
Idaho will return to action March 3 when the team hits the road to face Wyoming in Laramie.
Zack Ozuna can be reached at [email protected] or on Twitter @OzunaZack2