Box Score Missoula, Mont. – The University of Idaho women's tennis team defeated the Montana Griz in thrilling fashion, 4-3. After trailing 3-0 the Vandals won the next four consecutive singles matches to earn their first Big Sky win of the season.

To start the match the Vandals fell behind 1-0 after dropping all three doubles matches.

In singles play the Griz took a 3-0 advantage in the match earning consecutive wins in No. 4 and No. 1 singles, respectively.
 
Down 3-0, Laura Spataro ignited the Vandal comeback, winning 6-4, 6-4, in the No. 1 spot.

Next, Katherine Jhang kept the Vandals' hopes alive earning her fourth consecutive win, 5-7, 6-3, 6-3, in No. 3 singles.

With Idaho behind just one point, 3-2, Marta Magalhaes evened the score with a 6-3, 3-6, 6-3, win in the No. 5 spot.

In No. 6 singles with the match all tied up 3-3, Saffron Dowse fought back to win 0-6, 7-6, 6-4, clinching the match win for the Vandals.
 
"Great match. The girls played unbelievable," said Head Coach Babar Akbar. "Everyone played amazing. We went down 3-0 early but the girls kept fighting. Credit to Montana, they played unbelievable. A couple of points here or there and that match could have gone either way. That is just how competitive this year has been. We are just happy to have our first conference win and are going to focus on getting ready for Montana State on Sunday."
 
Up Next: Idaho will continue Big Sky play on Sunday, closing out the regular season against Montana State at 9 a.m.
 
Tennis Match Results
Idaho vs Montana
4/16/2021
Missoula, Mont. (Peak Racquet Club)
Idaho 4, Montana 3
Singles competition

1. RONNEY, Julia (UM) def. Melissa Huchet (IDAHO) 6-3, 6-4
2. Laura Spataro (IDAHO) def. OOSTERBAAN, Olivia (UM) 6-4, 6-4
3. Katherine Jhang (IDAHO) def. DUNLAP, Lauren (UM) 5-7, 6-3, 6-3
4. GOHEEN, Maria (UM) def. Maggie Chen (IDAHO) 6-3, 6-2
5. Marta Magalhaes (IDAHO) def. MITKOVA, Ivayla (UM) 6-3, 3-6, 6-3
6. Saffron Dowse (IDAHO) def. WALKER, Alex (UM) 0-6, 7-6 (5-7), 6-4

Doubles competition

1. RONNEY, Julia/OOSTERBAAN, Olivia (UM) def. Laura Spataro/Melissa Huchet (IDAHO) 7-5
2. DUNLAP, Lauren/WALKER, Alex (UM) def. Maggie Chen/Katherine Jhang (IDAHO) 6-3
3. GOHEEN, Maria/MITKOVA, Ivayla (UM) def. Marta Magalhaes/Saffron Dowse (IDAHO) 6-3
Match Notes: Idaho 3-7, 1-2 BSC Montana 6-5, 1-2 BSC

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