SAN ANTONIO, Texas – The Idaho women's tennis team secured a spot in the Western Athletic Conference tournament with a 4-0 win over New Mexico State. The Vandals even their overall record at 8-8 and improve to 2-1 in the WAC with the win.

"I am so proud of the girls today,” Idaho coach Myriam Sopel said. “We had such a good match all across the board.”

Idaho got on the board first by taking the doubles point with wins at No. 2 and No. 3 doubles. Idaho then got singles wins from Almudena Sanz at No. 2, Constance Alexander at No. 3 and Alejandra Lozano at No. 6 to seal the victory.

“The doubles point was crucial for the confidence and going into singles,” Sopel said. “We lost five of the six first sets, but we found a way to make our shots, gain confidence, and go into tough three-setters to get the win.”

Idaho will face UT Arlington in San Antonio before returning to Moscow for WAC matches against Seattle U on April 12, San Jose State on April 13 and Texas State on April 14. Idaho will wrap up the season at Utah State on April 20 before heading to the WAC tournament in Denver, April 25-28. The WAC's top eight teams qualify for the tournament.

“That win was very important as we are now qualified for the WAC tournament,” Sopel said. “But we keep our focus and want to finish the weekend strong with two intense matches tomorrow.”

Idaho 4, New Mexico State 0
April 6, 2013

Doubles
1. V. Lozano/A. Sanz (UI) vs. Dinero/Nguyen (NMSU) DNF
2. C. Alexander/A. Lozano (UI) def. Williams/Van DerBen (NMSU)9-8(7-6)
3. R. Bermudez/B. Flores (UI) def. Witte/Brandt (NMSU) 6-1, ret

Singles
1. V. Lozano (UI) vs. Diner (NMSU) DNF
2. A. Sanz (UI) def. Williams (NMSU) 7-5, 6-3
3. C. Alexaner (UI) def. Van Der Ben (NMSU) 4-6, 6-3, 6-4
4. B. Barcenilla (UI) vs. Witte (NMSU) DNF
5. B. Flores (UI) vs. Nguyen (NMSU) DNF
6. A. Lozano (UI) def. Brandt (NMSU) 2-6, 6-3, 6-1