LEWISTON, Idaho—The No. 2 seed for the Big Sky Women's Tennis Tournament was on the line in Sunday's regular season finale between the Vandals and Montana State. Idaho, after dropping the doubles point to start, won all six matches on its way to the 6-1 win.

Idaho (14-7, 10-1 BSC) earned an automatic trip to the semifinals at next week's tournament in Phoenix, Ariz. The Vandals, the reigning back-to-back Big Sky champions, will have a shot at their third Big Sky title and fourth conference crown in a row.

Montana State jumped out in front, taking the doubles point to open play. The Bobcats used a pair of 7-5 wins at No. 2 and No. 3 to gain the lead. Play at No. 1 was abandoned at 6-6.

The Silver and Gold quickly bounced back with a pair of singles wins to go up 2-1. Marianna Petrei and Lucia Badillos both put together wins of 6-2, 6-1 to erase the Montana State advantage. The win for Petrei marked her 10th conference win of the season, finishing up back-to-back unbeaten seasons in Big Sky play. Badillos' win also handed her a perfect 9-0 record in the Big Sky.

Jessica Brzozowska added to the Idaho lead with a 7-6, 6-3 win at No. 2. The freshman completed her first season with an 8-3 Big Sky record. Maria Tavares clinched the match for Idaho at No. 4. She went up 6-1 in the first set, before dropping the second 6-3. Tavares rebounded in the third set, 6-4, finishing 10-0 in conference play.

Claire Yang and Shion Watabe rounded out afternoon for the Vandals. Yang picked up a 6-3, 7-5 win at No. 6. Watabe closed out play with a 6-4, 2-6, 10-7 win at No. 5.

The Vandals will head off to Phoenix next week for the Big Sky Tournament. Northern Arizona earned the No. 1 seed, finishing 11-0 in the conference. The tournament opens on April 27. Idaho will play its first match on the 28th.
 

Singles competition

1. Petrei, Marianna (UI) def. GOYETTE, Chloe (MSU) 6-2, 6-1

2. Brzozowska, Jessica (UI) def. MIDDEL, Laura (MSU) 7-6, 6-3

3. Badillos, Lucia (UI) def. HOLOPAINEN, Naomi (MSU) 6-2, 6-1

4. Tavares, Maria (UI) def. PHILIPPOVA, Angelina (MSU) 6-1, 3-6, 6-4

5. Watabe, Shion (UI) def. BRYCKI, Jessica (MSU) 6-4, 2-6, 10-7

6. Yang, Claire (UI) def. HOLOPAINEN, Wanda (MSU) 6-3, 7-5

 

Doubles competition

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

2. HOLOPAINEN, Naomi/BRYCKI, Jessica (MSU) def. Tavares, Maria/Brzozowska, Jessica (UI) 7-5

3. PHILIPPOVA, Angelina/CERKOVNIK, Shelby (MSU) def. Yang, Claire/Watabe, Shion (UI) 7-5

 

Match Notes

Order of finish: Doubles (3,2); Singles (1,3,2,4,6,5)