SEATTLE—The defending Big Sky champions closed out the regular season on Saturday with a 4-0 win over Seattle U. The Vandals will now shift their focus to the 2016 Big Sky Championship, taking aim at a second consecutive trip to the NCAA Tournament.
Idaho (16-8, 9-2 BSC), once again got out to an early 1-0 lead over the Redhawks. Marianna Petrei and Lucia Badillos won their 11th doubles match of the spring to open the day. Rita Bermudez and Maria Tavares scored a 6-3 win in No. 2 play to finish the regular season with a 12-4 record.
“We have come a long way this season in doubles,” head coach Mariana Cobra noted. “Early in the year we were not getting that point. Obviously, it is a true sign that we have improved. We are a tough team to beat when we go up 1-0.”
The Silver and Gold netted the first three singles points, cutting the match short. Freshman Celine Koets was first to finish on the No. 3 court. She won 6-4, 6-0 over Madison Maloney. The Vandals' third point came from Petrei. The freshman phenom wrapped up the regular season with a 6-1, 6-1 win, giving her 20 wins on the season. Belen Barcenilla concluded the day with a 6-2, 6-3 win in No. 4 play.
“This was a solid win for us before conference,” Cobra added. “We wanted to get another match in before we head off to Sacramento. I am proud of the girls. We have a good feeling moving into next week.”
Idaho is currently slated as the No. 3 seed in the upcoming Big Sky Championship. Barring any changes in the top of the standings the Vandals will face No. 6 Eastern Washington on Friday, April 29. Idaho will have to win three matches at the tournament to return to NCAA play.
“It is going to be a lot of work [at Big Sky],” Cobra said. “We will have to show up each day. I think we are playing our best tennis of the season right now. We just have to go and take care of our business.”
The Big Sky Championship will start on Friday. The top-six teams in the standings qualify three-day for tournament.
Singles competition
1. Petrei, Marianna (UI) def. Lui, Michelle (SU) 6-1, 6-1
2. Woodman, Kelli (SU) vs. Batiri, Ana (UI) 1-6, 5-4, unfinished
3. Koets, Celine (UI) def. Maloney, Madison (SU) 6-4, 6-0
4. Barcenilla, Belen (UI) def. Carey, Barbara (SU) 6-2, 6-3
5. James, Kristen (SU) vs. Tavares, Maria (UI) 1-0, unfinished
6. Skjonsby, Kailyn (SU) vs. Badillos, Lucia (UI) 1-1, unfinished
Doubles competition
1. Lui, Michelle/Woodman, Kelli (SU) def. Batiri, Ana/Barcenilla, Belen (UI) 7-6 (7-6)
2. Bermudez, Rita/Tavares, Maria (UI) def. Maloney, Madison/Carey, Barbara (SU) 6-3
3. Petrei, Marianna/Badillos, Lucia (UI) def. James, Kristen/Skjonsby, Kailyn (SU) 6-1
Order of finish: Doubles (3,2,1); Singles (3,1,4)
