PHOENIX, Ariz.- The Idaho women's tennis team will continue its postseason run after securing a first-round victory over Eastern Washington in the Big Sky Conference Tournament. Idaho now turns its attention to a high-stakes semifinal rematch against the top-seeded Sacramento State Hornets. First serve is scheduled for 8:00 a.m. PT, Friday in Phoenix. 

ABOUT IDAHO  
The Vandals have built momentum at the right time, highlighted by a statement win over Sacramento State last month. During that stretch, senior Valentina Rodas earned Big Sky Player of the Week honors, further reinforcing Idaho's ability to compete with the conference's best. 

UI carried its momentum into the tournament, defeating Eastern Washington in a first round sweep to make the semifinals for a second straight season, after falling to the Hornets a year ago. 

Idaho's number one doubles team of Ida Johansson and Hanna Koprowska controlled the opening round match against the Eagles, winning 6-2. Valentina Rodas and Chenyue Xu secured the double point with a 6-3 win, allowing the Black and Gold to set the tone early. 

ABOUT SACRAMENTO STATE 
Sacramento State enters the matchup as the conference favorite, boasting a dominant regular season with a 7-1 Big Sky record. 

After earning an opening round bye, the Hornets will look to stay fresh and continue win their third straight tournament title, while seeking redemption against the only team to defeat them in conference play this season. 

Sacramento State's only Big Sky loss came on UI's Senior Day, in a come-from-behind Vandal victory. After dropping the doubles point, Idaho responded by winning four of the six singles points on offer to clinch the match. Valentina Rodas sealed the Hornet's fate, winning a come-from-behind three-set thriller in the final match of the day. 

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