Women's Tennis | 04/28/2017

PHOENIX—Idaho women's tennis came from behind against Montana State to earn its spot in the Big Sky Championship on Saturday. For the second time in a five-day span the Vandals defeated the No. 3 Bobcats, 4-1, after getting behind early.

"The girls played really tough today," head coach Babar Akbar noted. "It was a difficult match against a very good Montana State team. We again got down in doubles, but showed our fight in singles. We played in hot, windy conditions that we are not used to. We showed our depth with our experienced players stepping up and our freshman closing it out."

The Vandals and Bobcats each won a doubles match, forcing the No. 3 court to decide the point. Idaho got out early at No. 2 with a 6-3 win from Maria Tavares and Jessica Brzozowska. Montana State evened the point with a win at No. 1. The Bobcats gained the point with a close 6-4 decision at No. 3.

Much like their last meeting, the Vandals came back strong in singles. Lucia Badillos put Idaho on the board with her 6-1, 6-1 win at No. 3. Tavares gave the Vandals the 2-1 lead at No. 4. She recorded a 6-0, 6-3 win over Angelina Philippova. Marianna Petrei, the reigning Big Sky MVP, put away Montana State's No. 1, Chloe Goyette, 7-5, 6-1.

Freshman Shion Watabe clinched the win for the Vandals at No. 5. She wrapped up a 7-6(3), 6-1 win with courts No. 2 and No. 6 each in third sets.

The Vandals will take on No. 1 Northern Arizona for the conference's automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament. Idaho has won the last two Big Sky titles and has three conference championships in a row.

Live stats will be available for Saturday's match. The link can be found on the schedule page.  
 

Singles competition

1. Petrei, Marianna (UI) def. GOYETTE, Chloe (MSU) 7-5, 6-1

2. Brzozowska, Jessica (UI) vs. MIDDEL, Laura (MSU) 6-4, 1-6, 1-1, unfinished

3. Badillos, Lucia (UI) def. HOLOPAINEN, Naomi (MSU) 6-1, 6-1

4. Tavares, Maria (UI) def. PHILIPPOVA, Angelina (MSU) 6-0, 6-3

5. Watabe, Shion (UI) def. BRYCKI, Jessica (MSU) 7-6 (7-3), 6-1

6. Yang, Claire (UI) vs. HOLOPAINEN, Wanda (MSU) 6-4, 3-6, 1-0, unfinished

 

Doubles competition

1. MIDDEL, Laura/GOYETTE, Chloe (MSU) def. Petrei, Marianna/Badillos, Lucia (UI) 6-4

2. Tavares, Maria/Brzozowska, Jessica (UI) def. HOLOPAINEN, Naomi/BRYCKI, Jessica (MSU) 6-3

3. PHILIPPOVA, Angelina/HOLOPAINEN, Wanda (MSU) def. Yang, Claire/Watabe, Shion (UI) 6-4

 

Match Notes

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