POCATELLO, Idaho—The Idaho women's tennis team clinched its spot in the Big Sky Tournament on Friday. The Vandals were strong across the board in their 6-1 win over Idaho State, securing their spot in the six-team tournament field.

The win starts off Idaho's stretch of three matches this weekend. The Vandals improve to 7-1 in the Big Sky, one win behind Northern Arizona and Montana State in the standings. Idaho State falls to 5-5.

Sophomore Marainna Petrei remained unbeaten in her Big Sky career. She opened singles play with a 6-3, 6-0 win at No.1. She has won 18 straight matches, all at No. 1, in league play. Maria Tavares picked up the win at No. 4 for the Vandals. She went 6-1, 6-2 over ISU's Angela Walker. Lucia Badillos secured the win for the Vandals at the No. 3 position. She put together a 7-6(5), 6-1 win, giving the Vandals a 4-0 lead.

Idaho State's lone win came at the No. 2 position. Louise-Mare Botes outlasted Jessica Brzozowska in three sets, 3-6, 7-6(9), 10-6.

Claire Yang and Shion Watabe finished off the final two singles matches. Yang went 6-2, 6-0 over Kristen Newell at No. 6. Watabe broke a three match slump with her 6-1, 6-2 win at No. 5.

The Silver and Gold got out in front early. Idaho took the doubles point to begin the day with a pair of wins at No. 1 and No. 3.

Idaho will enter the Big Sky Tournament in search of its fourth consecutive conference championship. The Vandals won the Western Athletic Conference in 2014, before earning two straight Big Sky Championships. 

The Vandals are back in action on Saturday at Weber State. The match is set for a 9 a.m. PT start. 

Singles competition
1. Petrei, Marianna (UI) def. BOTES,Huibre-Mare (ISU) 6-3, 6-0
2. BOTES,Louise-Mare (ISU) def. Brzozowska, Jessica (UI) 3-6, 7-6 (11-9), 10-6
3. Badillos, Lucia (UI) def. COBURN,Melissa (ISU) 7-6, 6-1
4. Tavares, Maria (UI) def. POE,Megan (ISU) 6-2, 6-2
5. Watabe, Shion (UI) def. WALKER,Angela (ISU) 6-1, 6-2
6. Yang, Claire (UI) def. NEWELL,Kristen (ISU) 6-2, 6-0
 
Doubles competition
1. Petrei, Marianna/Badillos, Lucia (UI) def. BOTES,Louise-Mare/BOTES,Huibre-Mare (ISU) 6-3
2. POE,Megan/CVETKOVIC,Hristina (ISU) vs. Brzozowska, Jessica/Tavares, Maria (UI) unfinished
3. Yang, Claire/Watabe, Shion (UI) def. COBURN,Melissa/FENSKE,Madison (ISU) 6-4