|
After a two week break, the Vandal tennis teams will be back on the courts this weekend to face off against tough competition.
The men’s team will be traveling to Colorado Springs where they’ll begin their weekend Friday competing against Idaho State and the University of Denver. They’ll take on the Air Force Academy Saturday, and finish the weekend against Wichita State Sunday.
The women’s team will head south to Boise Friday where they will meet the nationally ranked Boise State Broncos. Saturday and Sunday they’ll take on Northern Arizona and the University of Wyoming.
MEN
The men have a lot of work ahead of them this weekend as they travel to the high elevations of Colorado without their No. 1 player, Andrey Potapkin.
“Without Andrey being back in the line-up, it’s going to be four tough matches,” said Idaho Coach Jeff Beaman.
Potapkin suffered an injury two weekends ago against New Mexico State and the coaching staff has decided to play it safe and keep him out of this weekend’s matches.
“He’s got a variety of injuries,” Beaman said. “We could have gone out and forced it, but we want to make sure he’s healthy.”
Between tough competition and high altitude, the Vandals will have to step it up if they want to increase their three game winning streak.
Beaman said the altitude will most certainly play a role in the team’s performance.
“At 7,200 feet the ball travels very fast,” Beaman said. “If you can serve 100 mph here, you can serve 120 there.”
The men will get a chance to practice in Colorado Springs on Thursday. They’ll use this opportunity to get used to the facilities and the thin air that comes with it.
Beaman is hopeful that the altitude change won’t affect the player’s performance.
“I think we match up well,” Beaman said. “It’s whether the team comes out and plays hard or looks for excuses.”
WOMEN
The women have plenty of work ahead of them this weekend as they travel to Boise to take on the Broncos, who are ranked 49th in the nation.
“It’s going to be a tough weekend,” Beaman said. “They’re very serious about their tennis there.”
Beaman said playing at Boise State is like playing in front of a home crowd.
“We have a very strong group of alumni that come out and support us,” Beaman said. “They come out, get other alumni out and they get their friends out.”
Boise may have home court advantage against the Vandals, but Beaman said when they compete against Northern Arizona and Wyoming, Idaho will have the advantage.
Northern Arizona and Wyoming both have winning records this season and will be looking to improve those records against the Vandals.
The team is coming off of tough losses in Arizona two weeks ago, but Beaman said he is still confident that his team will get better and is showing signs of improvement.
“Do they keep fighting through all three matches or do they get down on themselves,” Beaman said. “Hopefully they go out and compete, but it’s certainly going to be a tough weekend.”
 Add as favorites (18) | Views: 251
|
