Seniors on the University of Idaho Women's Tennis team Maggie Chen and Shion Watabe have seen their final season come to an unexpected end. However, the end of their Vandal careers hasn't come without success over the last four years.

Watabe and Chen have combined for 61 wins (singles and doubles) and have been part of 31 dual match wins as a team. During their sophomore seasons the pair helped bring a Big Sky Conference Championship to Idaho, as part of five consecutive conference championships.

In the 2018 Big Sky Championship against Northern Arizona, senior Maggie Chen was in a unique position during her first year with the Vandals.

"I had a Taiwanese player in my first year at Idaho and after she finished up a fantastic career, I asked her if she knew of anyone and she recommended Maggie, who was looking to transfer," said Babar Akbar. "One day I was going to Seattle and Maggie called. We talked about what she was looking for in a team and it lined up with what we have to offer, so I asked her to give us a shot and she did."


Chen, a native of Tainana, Taiwan, began playing for the Vandals in the fall 2017 as a sophomore after transfering from Southern Miss University, and found instant success on the double's courts during the spring season. She posted an 8-2 double record with Marta Magalhaes and currently leads the team in career doubles wins with 21. During her first season Chen played mostly in the number five and number six singles spots, compiling a 5-4 singles record over the year.

"I struggled when I first got here because the condition is really different from the south and every girl on the team played great, so I was a bit scared in the beginning," said Chen.  "Lucia Badillos, our team captain at the time, helped me a lot and was always supportive which gave me confidence."

Her most important moment of the season however came in the championship.

 "When Maggie first came here it took her time to adjust, but she had a lot of support from her teammates in doing that," said Akbar. "The best thing I saw Maggie do here was in the conference tournament final."

After losing two-out-of-three doubles matches to start the match the Vandals fell behind 1-0 before singles play. In order to win the championship, the Vandals had to win four-out-of-six singles matches. Competing in the No. 6 spot was sophomore Maggie Chen, in her first year with the Vandals.

"I go up to her court, it's very hot, 100 degrees outside, and I ask her 'Hey Maggie what can I do for you, what do you need from me?'," said Babar Akbar "Maggie looks at me and says 'Don't worry I got this' and I think she was one of the first people to finish her match with a win."

Maggie defeated Northern Arizona's Eirene Granvile 6-2, 6-4 in the No. 6 spot.  "I think that was a good turning point for her and for us as how much she's grown and the confidence she's developed in herself," added Akbar.

"I just played my game and I knew everything was under my control so there's nothing to worry about and I knew that if I can focus till the end, I will win," added Chen. "Winning conference is the best feeling ever; I feel like all the hard work paid off. I was actually more nervous watching my teammates play." 

Not only has Chen had success on the court, but she has received recognition for her work in the classroom, earning ITA Scholar Athlete and Big Sky All-Academic honors during her time as a Vandal.

While winning the Big Sky Championship in 2018 will be one of Chen's favorite memories at Idaho, she will never forget the bond she shares with her teammates.

"One of my best memories for sure is winning Big Sky, but other than that I think is the connection between the girls on the team," said Chen. I can't ask for better teammates, we just get along well and they always support me and cheer for me."

Watabe joined the Vandals in the fall of 2016 prior to Akbar arriving.

"Shion was recruited by my predecessor, but she never met the old coach," said Akabr. "We arrived around the same time and she played for me for four years. I didn't recruit her, but I couldn't have asked for a more committed, hardworking kid. She has such a good personality and is a good person. She loved to work hard, and I got very lucky to have someone like her be there for four years."

Watabe, a native of Sydney Australia, was part of two Big Sky Championship teams in 2017 and 2018 as a freshman and sophomore and complied 26 singles wins during her career.

"My best experience was when our team won the Big Sky Championships in Phoenix in 2017 and 2018," added Watabe. "The memory of winning the championship is something I won't forget and is definitely my best memory."

Watabe has been a big part of the Vandal's competitive spirit on the court during her time here but has also made an impact with her leadership.

 "Shion always competed throughout her career and I think she became able to speak up an be more involved in the leadership of the team," added Akbar.
 "She's a very smart and rational kid, so to have her grow as a leader and teammate was huge. She became very good at helping her teammates out, talking to them, and supporting them. Seeing her grow in that sense was an absolute pleasure to watch."

The legacy that Watabe and Chen will leave on the Idaho tennis program runs deeper than championship moments or records, but focuses on leadership, confidence, and what it means to be a student athlete.

"The experiences I have had at my four-year career at the University of Idaho have shaped and built my character, skills and resilience," said Watabe. "As important as the improvements I made on the tennis court are, I believe the skills and characteristics you gain from being a student-athlete are very valuable and will help me in the future."

"They represent what college athletics is all about," added Akbar. "First of all, they are both amazing people and amazing students academically." In addition to Chen's classroom success, Watabe has had the same, earning ITA Scholar Athlete honors twice and Big Sky All-Academic Honors three times.

"They each represented athletes who were willing to develop and willing to give everything they had. Along with that, they are both great sportsmen and brought a lot of confidence and calm vibes to the team," said Akabar. "They were able to see the bigger picture better than others sometimes, so I think that is part of their legacy here."

Watabe and Chen are also fantastic examples and role models to the younger players on the team with their willingness to work hard.
"They gave everything they had," said Akabr. "Not everyone can play the number one for a team. They took ownership of their position and gave it everything they had."

"I think the best way to help your teammates and lead newer players is by example," said Watabe. "No matter what exercises, drills or fitness we had for practice I always gave 110% and I believe that is something that encouraged my teammates to do the same. I hope that it something that I have helped create an environment which will help the program in the future."

Shion and Maggie are two shining examples of what it means to be a Vandal. For more on Idaho Athletics, and how you can help student-athletes like these navigate these challenging times, head over to GoVandals.com/VSF.