Idaho extends winning streak into conference play with convincing win
After a loss to Gonzaga to open the season, Idaho has ripped off five straight wins en route to a 5-1 record this spring. Northern Colorado was the latest victim of the Vandals in a Saturday match in Lewiston.
Idaho’s winning streak will be tested Friday at the Mountain-Pacific Tournament in Stockton, California.
File photo by Nathan Romans | Argonaut
Senior Cristobal Ramos Salazar watches in a volley during practice Wednesday. Salazar will compete in the EWU Fall Classic from Sept. 26-28.
The win over Northern Colorado was the first official Big Sky match for Idaho since its return to the conference. Northern Colorado is one of the weaker teams in the Big Sky, but the Vandals’ win is a solid start to the new conference.
“It was a great performance tonight,” Idaho coach Jeff Beaman said. “Odon (Barta) is continuing to make strides with his mental toughness. He was down early, but maintained his composure and was able to battle back. It was good to see.”
In singles, Idaho won all matches except the No. 2 singles match where junior Jackson Varney lost to Austin Mayo of UNC. Freshman Felipe Fonseca was especially impressive in his win over Mitchel Knight in the No. 3 match, as neither set was even close. The same can be said for freshman Rhys Richardson in the No. 6 match.
Doubles was a complete domination by Idaho. Varney teamed up with senior Cristobal Ramos-Salazar to win the No. 1 doubles match. Barta and Fonseca took the No. 2 spot and freshman Mark Kovacs paired up with Richardson to cruise to a No. 3 doubles win.
Three nonconference road matches follow the Mountain-Pacific Tournament. The Vandals play at Portland, Illinois State (in Seattle) and Seattle U before Big Sky play resumes March 13 against Sacramento State. Idaho does not play in Moscow until April 11 in a doubleheader against Montana and North Dakota.
Ben Evensen can be reached at [email protected]