Argonaut Online Sports

TUES, 15 APRIL 2003

Women thrive, men struggle in spring invite

By Diane Evans
Argonaut Staff

One day. Two Montana schools. Two completely different outcomes.

That was the story for the University of Idaho’s tennis teams as they played at home this weekend. The women started the day off by winning 6-1 against the University of Montana, while the men lost to Montana State 5-2.

“The women just played solid from top to bottom,” said Greg South, head tennis coach.

The UI women cruised to the doubles point, with their closest match 6-3.

THERESA PALMGREN / ARGONAUT / Vandal Sunel Nieuwoudt sets up for a backhand during the doubles match against Montana State Saturday in the tennis courts behind the PEB. Nieuwoudt and Barbora Kudilkova won 8 to 2.

“I think the new doubles pairings gave us depth. We were real strong in the doubles. If you win the doubles point, that really helps,” South said. “If you win the doubles point in a real strong fashion like we did, it gives you a lot of momentum going into the singles. That happened. We carried that momentum over and got it done.”

For the singles, the women picked up right where they left off as the rest of the matches were moved to the Kibbie Dome due to rain.

In the singles, six of the seven doubles earned victories. Barbora Kudilkova, Sunel Nieuwuoudt, Vida Senci and Larissa Nicoll all won at their respective spots. Kareen Konishi defeated Jonna Schwartz, 6-3, 6-3. And, Ivette Duran beat Bonny Bower, 8-5.

“The match of the day has to go to Sunel. She stepped up. She just caught fire. She was done in about half an hour. Everybody else was finishing warming up and she was done,” South said.

“Everything she hit was gone; she knocked the ball off the court and her opponent in the process.”

The only UI singles loss was No. 5 Leslie Banks against Erin Cooney, 6-3, 6-3. Last week, Cooney, a freshman, was selected as the Big Sky Conference Player of the Week.

The UI men’s sole doubles win came at the No. 3 spot, with David Suttner and Fabian Dummett beating Jake Berriochoa and Jesse Carl, 8-6.

At No. 1 singles, Brad Lum-Tucker beat Ueltschi 7-5, 6-4. Last week Ueltschi was named the men’s Big Sky Conference Player of the Week.

UI’s other singles win came from Seth Banks at the No. 5 spot. Banks defeated Ivan Sain, 6-7, 7-6 and 7-5.

No. 3 Chris Faulman lost in the tie-breaker to Tejeshuara Chigateri, 4-6, 6-3 and 7-6.

“The guys were in it, it was 5-2. Chris barely lost the third set in the tiebreak. After that, the momentum was against us, but until that point it was going for us,” South said.

James Cromwell defaulted his match, 2-6, 6-5, due to a concussion from the net post after diving for a ball.

“James Cromwell, he just about got the match done for us. He had a heroic effort. He comes back—talk about doing things differently—and changed the way he was playing, the goals and the plays he was running,” South said.

“James dove for the ball with everything he had, not caring about himself, just trying to win the point.

“That cost us the match, as a team, but it wasn’t for lack of trying,” South said.

“It was an exciting match, it was a good match. The guys were about to have a break through here,” South said.

This weekend both teams travel to in-state rival Boise State.

Sports Editor: Rolfe Daus Petersen Webmistress: Amanda J Hundt
UI Argonaut, 301 Student Union, Moscow, Idaho 83843 208.885.7845

Vandal runner garners academic honor

Junior cross-country runner Tania Vander Meulen has been selected an Academic All-American.

The award was given to sophomores, juniors or seniors who kept a 3.25 GPA and finished in the top 15, or top 10 percent, in their region.

“This is a tribute to Tania’s hard work,” head coach Wayne Phipps said. “Not only in cross country, but also in the classroom.”

Vander Meulen is majoring in nutrition.

Women’s cross country named to All-Academic ranks

The 2002-03 University of Idaho women’s cross-country team earned All-Academic honors with distinction.

The Vandals ranked 27th in the nation with a team GPA of 3.47. A 3.00 average was required for All-Academic honors, while 3.25 was required for honors with distinction.

“They came through with flying colors. It was kind of a perfect season for us,” head coach Wayne Phipps said. “We almost couldn’t ask for more. It just shows a perfect balance.”

The Vandals, who won the 2002 Big West Championship, ranked highest among Big West teams.