Idaho opens Big Sky play with the 13-time champions
Last season, the Idaho women’s tennis team ran through the WAC, claiming both regular season and conference tournament championships and punching their ticket to the NCAA Tournament.
Daphne Jackson | Argonaut
Belen Barcenilla (left) and Lucia Badillos practice serves Wednesday in the Kibbie Dome.
That was where the winning ended as they were defeated in the opening round by USC in Los Angeles — a team that eventually advanced to the third round before being knocked off by Georgia.
This year is an entirely different season though. The Vandals no longer compete in the WAC as they now compete in the Big Sky, but they proved they are just as strong as ever.
After a disappointing season-opening loss to Washington State, the Vandals rattled off three straight wins, all in convincing fashion. They lost to the Cougars to start last spring as well, but then went on an 11-match winning streak to start their season.
Idaho coach Mariana Cobra said the team talks a lot about its long winning streak last season and despite it being an entirely different conference, they feel they can hang with anybody.
But now Idaho shifts its focus to its first Big Sky match of the season and the Vandals couldn’t have asked for a tougher opponent. Friday, they travel to Sacramento to take on the Sacramento State Hornets — the preseason favorite to win the conference.
“This is our first year in the Big Sky, so we have heard of Sacramento State winning for the last 13 years, but we haven’t seen them,” Cobra said. “So being able to see the technically best team in the conference in the first match is huge.”
The feeling of winning the WAC last year is still fresh in the minds of the Vandals, which could help going into the conference portion of the schedule.
Senior Beatriz Flores said the match will be a great chance to test their skills against the top team in the conference. Cobra said despite the conference switch, the Vandals still have their sights set on one goal — the NCAA Tournament. But before the tournament, first they need to win the conference.
“The girls talk about winning the Big Sky every day,” Cobra said. “That is what we go to bed every day wanting to and I think before we get to the tournament. We gotta make sure we make it to the tournament. We talk about being a competitor in every match, whether it is conference or nonconference.”
Even if it is an early season matchup between the preseason No. 1 and No. 3 teams in the conference, it could be a great tone-setter for the season, Cobra said.
The Hornets stumbled early this year, as they started the season 1-4, but if the last 13 years are any indication, they have a championship pedigree to be familiar with.
“I think we are prepared,” Cobra said. “We have done everything we are supposed to do, so hopefully it puts us in a good spot.”
Joshua Gamez can be reached at [email protected]