Fall season to wrap up in Spokane, Cobra officially named head coach
Another fall campaign is almost complete for Idaho women’s tennis. After solid tournaments throughout late September and all through October, the Vandals head to Spokane for the Gonzaga Hitting Dual.
Nathan Romans | Argonaut
Senior Emmie Marx serves during Wednesday’s practice at the Memorial Gym Courts. Marx, a transfer student from Illinois State, will play in the Gonzaga Hitting Dual Nov. 9-12 in Spokane.
“It’s going to be the last tournament of the fall season, so we’re hoping the girls go out there and do the things they practice,” Idaho coach Mariana Cobra said. “This fall has been all about working hard. So I hope they go out there and compete, and the outcomes will take care of themselves.”
Cobra is the new coach at Idaho, as just this past Monday she accepted the new position after serving as the interim coach for the fall season. It won’t be any different for the team since Cobra has handled recruiting, travel and coaching responsibilities since being named interim coach this past July. Cobra was also the head women’s tennis coach at her alma-mater Northern Iowa from 2012-13.
“We are very excited to have Mariana accept our head women’s coaching position,” Idaho Athletic Director Rob Spear said following the hiring announcement. “During her brief time at Idaho she has excelled in all aspects of administering the women’s tennis program and is a proven Division 1 coach.”
Prior to coaching at Northern Iowa, Cobra spent Time at Case Western Reserve, a Division III team, and Middle Tennessee State. During her time playing at Northern Iowa, she was a three-time ITA Scholar-Athlete and had the third highest career winning percentage in school history with a 65-28 singles record.
The last tournament the Vandals competed in was the ITA Regionals Oct. 15-18 in Albuquerque, New Mexico. While most Vandals struggled to advance past the first couple rounds individually, sophomore Galina Bykova had a great tournament, advancing all the way the quarterfinals before being eliminated, but not before upsetting two seeded players on her way through the bracket.
“Galina had a really good tournament,” Cobra said. “She beat the No. 5 seed. Obviously, having that performance makes you want more, especially when you’re at a regional tournament with the best players. At Gonzaga, we are expecting another good performance.”
Nathan Romans | Argonaut
Senior Sophoe Vickers returns a volley during Wednesday’s practice at the Memorial Gym Courts.
No matter what happens at Gonzaga, Cobra said she has been proud of how the season has gone and looks forward to seeing the team in the spring. However, she isn’t overlooking the next tournament and wants to finish strong.
“Every player on our team has really stepped it up in the fall season,” Cobra said. “I really want them to go there (Gonzaga) and play their best like they have all fall. We want to finish the season on a good note and we want to get ready for a great spring.”
Ben Evensen can be reached at [email protected]