The Idaho Vandals Men’s and Women’s Tennis teams were once again back in action this weekend. The women played at home for the second consecutive weekend and the second of five straight weekends they will be playing inside the P1FCU Kibbie Dome. The men’s team, on the other hand, were down in California for a few matchups.
Women’s Tennis
The Vandals began the weekend by hosting the University of Wyoming Cowgirls, who they defeated handily by a 6-1 decision. UI won the first two doubles matches, both by a margin of 6-3. The third was unfinished with WYO leading 6-5 before the Vandals took the opening point and led 1-0.
In singles, UI went 5-1 to win the overall match by the final of 6-1. Naomi Schrader was the only Vandal to not win her match as she fell to Dilnaz Mashabayeva 6-1, 6-2. Diana Khaydarshina had one of the longer matches against Anastasiia Kochelaevskaia, going a full three sets, with Khaydarshina coming out on top 7-6 (7-5 tiebreak), 4-6, 7-5. The Vandals defeated the Cowgirls for the first time in their history, now 1-4 all time against WYO.
To finish the weekend, UI took on the University of the Pacific Tigers who they have never lost to. In doubles, UI dominated the first two matches with finals of 6-1 and 6-2, while the third was not completed with Pacific in from 5-3. The Vandals jumped to an early 1-0 lead.
In singles, two of the six matchups went a full three sets. Milena Maiorova of the Tigers defeated Khaydarshina of UI 6-7, 6-0, 6-2. Naomi Schraeder of the Vandals beat Alexis Sam of Pacific 6-7, 6-4, 6-4. Hanna Koprowska and Valentina Rodas had mirrored performances as each took care of their opponent by the same scores of 6-0, 6-3.
After all the matchups, Coach Sanne Louwers gathered the team on one court and told them how proud she was of all the play she saw. She told the team they were “tough, confident and strong.” She also mentioned how “you win as a team” and that this team has handled things very maturely. Lastly, she said, “Throughout the season so far, it’s only gotten better and better.”
UI is now 4-0 all time against Pacific and have improved their winning streak to six in a row. Now 8-2 on the season, they are set to open Big Sky conference play next weekend with one lone game. The Vandals will be hosting the Eastern Washington Eagles at 11 a.m. Saturday.
Men’s Tennis:
The Vandals Men’s team was back on the road this past weekend, beginning with a matchup against the BYU Cougars. UI was completely shut down in that match, falling 7-0. The only winners were Francisco Gay and Yu-Shun Lai in their doubles match, defeating their opponents 6-3. The rest of the day was filled with struggles as the Vandals were unable to get a win in singles play.
Their following matchup against the Cal Poly Mustangs was a bit closer, but with similar results, ending in another loss. UI was swept in doubles 6-1, 6-1 and trailed in the unfinished third as well. CP had the early advantage, 1-0.
In singles, each team won three matches, but due to the doubles result, the Mustangs won the overall match by a 4-3 decision. Gay, Chetanna Amadike and Sebastian Medica were all victorious for the Vandals, with Amadike’s match being the shortest at two sets while Medica’s and Gay’s each took a full three.
UI falls to just below 500 in the season, now at 4-5. They are back on the road once again next weekend with just one game on the schedule up in Spokane. They will be playing against the Gonzaga Bulldogs at 2 p.m. on Sunday.
Jackson Hamelund can be reached at arg-sports@uidaho.edu.