LEWISTON, Idaho—The Idaho women's tennis team defeated Sacramento State, 6-1, on Saturday. The win marks the fourth straight for the Vandals, who remain unbeaten in Big Sky play.

"This was our next big challenge," head coach Babar Akbar said following the win. "The girls stepped up today. They have been playing good tennis, but as you play better and better teams it becomes more and more mental. We had some tough matches today that could have gone either way. At the end of the day it came down to who is going to fight mentally. They showed today that they are ready to step it up."

Idaho (10-5, 6-0 BSC) cruised to the doubles point to open the day. The Vandals got quick wins from Claire Yang and Jessica Brzozowska and Ana Batiri and Maria Tavares, setting the table for the remainder of the match.

Tavares secured Idaho's first singles win of the afternoon. She scored her 11th win of the season, 6-1, 6-2, in No. 4 play to give the Vandals a two-point cushion. Sophomore Marianna Petrei continued her dominance over league competition. She posted a 6-3, 6-1 win at No. 1, giving her a perfect 16-0 record against Big Sky competition in her two seasons.

Lucia Badillos clinched the match for the Vandals with her 6-2, 7-6 win at No. 3. She remains perfect in conference play, improving to 4-0. Brzozwska fought back in No. 2 play, to take the point 3-6, 6-4, 10-6. Batiri posted Idaho's final point. She went 6-2, 6-3 at No. 5.

"If you look at the season like a graph--we are moving upward," Akbar explained. "We are moving towards where we want to be. We are more fit. We are hitting the ball better. We are moving better. I think mentally we are getting to a point where we believe we belong here." 

The Vandals remain one of three unbeaten teams in the Big Sky. Northern Arizona and Montana State have the two other unblemished records. The Vandals have a comfortable spot at the top of the conference standings. Six teams qualify for the Big Sky Tournament, set for April 27-30.

The Vandals will gear up for another big time match against NAU next week. Idaho will be in Flagstaff next Sunday, April 9. 

Singles

1. Petrei, Marianna (UI) def. LOAIZA ESQUIVIAS, A. (SAC) 6-3, 6-1

2. Brzozowska, Jessica (UI) def. VYRLAN, Karina (SAC) 3-6, 6-4, 10-6

3. Badillos, Lucia (UI) def. MOUZES, Andie (SAC) 6-2, 7-6

4. Tavares, Maria (UI) def. CHERNYETSKY, C. (SAC) 6-1, 6-2

5. Batiri, Ana (UI) def. WICKER, Sofia (SAC) 6-2, 6-3

6. GULNOVA, Sofia (SAC) def. Yang, Claire (UI) 6-2, 3-6, 10-7

Doubles

1. Petrei, Marianna/Badillos, Lucia (UI) vs. LOAIZA ESQUIVIAS, A./GULNOVA, Sofia (SAC) 5-6, unfinished

2. Batiri, Ana/Tavares, Maria (UI) def. VYRLAN, Karina/MOUZES, Andie (SAC) 6-2

3. Yang, Claire/Brzozowska, Jessica (UI) def. WICKER, Sofia/CHERNYETSKY, C. (SAC) 6-0

Match Notes

Order of finish: Doubles (3,2); Singles (4,1,3,2,5,6)

T-3:56