A bittersweet weekend left the Vandals with their first two wins of the season, but a loss to a Big Sky opponent dropped the team to the bottom of the conference standings.
Idaho defeated George Fox 4-3 Thursday, lost to Portland State and Portland 2-5 Friday and Saturday, respectively, and defeated Seattle 7-0 Sunday.
In Newberg, Oregon, the Bruins barely edged out the Vandals in doubles, with senior Carlos Longhi Neto and junior Esteban Santibanez recording their team’s first and only win.
Santibanez evened the score in singles, notching a commanding 6-1, 6-1 win over Keaton Baker. Victories by freshman Valentin Popescu and Neto helped elevate Idaho past the Bruins in singles before George Fox recorded wins after the match had already been decided.
A loss to Portland State the next day seemed to drain any momentum the Vandals may have possessed in the four-day stint. Another loss in doubles put Idaho in the hole early.
Santibanez once again stormed back in singles, winning 6-2, 6-2. However, his efforts were not enough, as Idaho dropped its next three matches, just enough for Portland State to seal the win. The loss keeps Idaho winless against conference opponents.
Idaho’s unlucky streak continued, with a 6-2 loss to Portland. The Vandals were finally able to secure the doubles point, but lost out on the valuable No. 1 singles match after Longhi Neto fell to Sema Pankin in three sets.
Idaho continued to lose the next three singles matches, with senior Lucas Coutinho providing the only bright spot with a 6-3, 6-3 win on court No. 5.
The Vandals earned a much-needed victory to close out the weekend against Seattle.
The Redhawks jumped out to an early lead in doubles, but Santibanez and Popescu provided the spark for Idaho to finish strong and secure the early point. Longhi Neto then redeemed himself in No. 1 singles, winning 6-3, 6-2.
His early victory was just the first of a Silver and Gold landslide, as every Idaho athlete recorded a singles win on the day.
Idaho returns home this weekend for a match against Montana State.
Brandon Hill can be reached at [email protected]