POCATELLO, Idaho-The Vandal women's tennis team competed in their first outdoor match of the season, defeating in-state and conference rival Idaho State 5-2 on the courts at Capell Park in Chubbuck.

The action started fast for the Vandal women as they took the doubles point without problem. The pairing of Galina Bykova and Emmie Marx cruised to a 6-1 victory over ISU's Marian Tangarife and Laura Theus on the No. 1 court, while Rita Bermudez and Lucia Badillos finished off the Bengals' Kasey Bacon and Laura Gutierrez (6-2) on the No. 3 court. Idaho's Sophie Vickers and Belen Barcenilla held off the Bengals' Madelyn Weltzin and Wiebke Boeckmann, 7-5, in a battle on the No. 2 court.

Singles play was much of the same for the Vandals as they won four of the six matches played. Bykova, Bermudez, Marx and Vickers on courts one through four, respectively, all in straight set fashion. Vickers shutout ISU's Theus 6-0, 6-0 not dropping a set within singles play. Badillos battled n the No. 5 court with ISU's Weltzin in a three set thriller. Badillos forced a third set, eventually falling, 6-3, 3-6, 10-12. Barcenilla's match ended early due to injury. Despite dropping the final to matches in singles play the Vandals pulled even on the weekend with the 5-2 win.

“It was a strong conference win for the women's first outdoor match of the season,” coach Jeff Beaman noted. “I like the way the women are competing and we are looking forwards to a strong Weber State team.”

The Vandals continue their road trip as they take on Weber State in Ogden, Utah tomorrow at noon.