After extending its winning streak to seven matches Saturday, the Idaho women’s tennis team is looking to grab a few more wins against in-state foes in Boise this weekend.
The Vandals will face Boise State (4-4) on Friday and Idaho State (1-3) on Saturday in back-to-back matches — something the team is used to.
“They get tired after playing a doubleheader, and we expect them to give whatever they’ve got,” assistant coach Art Hoomiratana said. “There are days other tennis teams play two to three matches per day. We understand they are tired.”
After Idaho swept Missouri-Kansas City on Saturday, Idaho coach Jeff Beaman told his players he believes the team has a good chance to win the WAC.
The Vandals are atop the WAC, bringing a 7-1 record (2-0 in WAC) to Boise this weekend. Despite the team’s seven game winning streak, Beaman said things could rapidly change.
“When things are going really well, it’s something you can go from really good to really bad, really quickly,” Beaman said.
Boise State started its season strongly with four straight victories, but has since dropped its last four matches. The Broncos will face No. 51 Washington State Thursday, before playing the Vandals on Friday.
Beaman will be with the men’s team this weekend in Utah, leaving the coaching duties to assistant coaches Hoomiratana and Abid Akbar.
“Going into this upcoming weekend, Art and Abid are with them,” Beaman said. “They’ve done amazing jobs, and I’m going to talk to them about things I saw to prepare for the weekend.”
Akbar and Hoomiratana have filled in when Beaman is unavailable, and the players are used to the change.
“Abid has been there the whole time and so the girls are familiar with us,” Hoomiratana said. “Our approach is to try and keep the focus on the things we can control. It’s really simple — try not to get in their heads.”
The team had an unpredictable practice schedule this week, partially due to the WAC Track and Field Championships in the Kibbie Dome.
“They need to look at it as ‘hey, if we’re practicing at WSU 10 to midnight, make use of your time,'” Beaman said. “If we’re not practicing, make use of your time. If we win both matches this weekend, I think we have a great chance to really jump in the rankings.”
The Vandals entered the ITA Top 75 Rankings last week at No. 73, for the first time in years.
Senior Victoria Lozano said she expects the matches will be physically and mentally demanding.
“As a team, we are playing great tennis right now,” Lozano said. “We have a lot of confidence in our game. I am hopeful for next match — we can really win.”
Hoomiratana agreed the team is ready for Friday’s match against long-time rival Boise State.
“Boise has done pretty well this year,” Hoomiratana said. “We don’t have expectations — just go out there and play hard.”
Conor Gleason can be reached at [email protected]