Idaho doesn’t let elevation, conditions stop it
In the wake of changes in elevation and long travel times, the Idaho women’s tennis team kept its composure as it won two out of three matches to improve to 5-1 in conference play over the weekend.
The lone loss came at the hands of the No. 69 Utah State Aggies. But the two teams battled back and fourth with each of the singles matches that finished going into a third and decisive set.
“To play a really strong team on their home court in high elevation I think with a lot of matches going into three sets … If a few things go a little differently we win,” Idaho coach Jeff Beaman said. “The girls really did a great job of adjusting to the conditions and played a great match.”
Along with the change in elevation, the team had to deal with a different voice on the sidelines. Mariana Cobra, the head women’s coach, was not with the team this weekend so Beaman, the men’s coach, was with them.
Beaman does know a few of the players from his time with them last season, but for the most part it was a great display by them being able to adapt, he said. After that first match, he said he felt like everything went pretty smoothly.
After the loss, they were able to avoid a losing streak as they rolled through the Idaho State Bengals 5-2 in their first outdoor match this season.
Carrying that momentum from the win over ISU, the Vandals defeated Weber State 6-1. Before Sunday afternoon, Weber State was undefeated at home and in the Big Sky.
The team travels to California next weekend for a pair of nonconference matches with Cal Poly and Fresno State in California. Both will be played outdoors. They will look to extend their streak to three wins in a row.
With two matches outdoors next weekend getting that initial outdoor match out of the way in a win was key. The team could’ve used the conditions as an excuse but they embraced it and didn’t let it hold them back, Beaman said.
The fast start Idaho has gotten off to in the Big Sky this season is another way that early season play can help as they continue to prepare for a potential Big Sky Tournament berth.
“The conference knew that Idaho was a strong program coming in,” Beaman said. “So to go in and actually show that will show that we can play without pressure.”
Joshua Gamez can be reached at [email protected]