When the Idaho Vandals women’s tennis team steps on the court Friday in Pullman, it will be looking to defend its reputation as a powerhouse in the Big Sky Conference.
Idaho coach Mariana Cobra is looking to build upon the success of last year’s program, when the Vandals took the Big Sky by storm.
Idaho finished the season as conference champions and earned its second consecutive appearance at the NCAA tournament. Cobra also took home Big Sky Coach of the Year honors during her first season as head coach of the Vandals.
“They really bought into the philosophy I had,” Cobra said of the team last year. “We definitely put in the work. It wasn’t given to us. We earned every second of it.”
Thanks to the spring success, Cobra has already set her sights toward establishing a successful rhythm early in the fall. She has not forgotten the impact of a Big Sky title for the Vandals.
“Having the Big Sky Conference Championship under our belt is huge,” Cobra said. “You can definitely tell that (the players) are more confident knowing they earned that championship last year.”
The Vandals made waves over the summer with their freshmen recruiting class in an attempt to add some experience and fortify the young roster.
Sophomore Ana Batiri decided to join the Vandals, transferring from Virginia Commonwealth, where she recently won the Atlantic 10 Championship.
Cobra also recruited two highly-ranked European freshmen in Maria Tavares and Celine Koets.
Despite the presence of many underclassmen, Cobra believes the Big Sky title has allowed her team to feel self-assured in its abilities on the court.
Cobra said Rita Bermudez and Belen Barcenilla, the lone pair of seniors for Idaho, have already contributed to the program early in the preseason.
“Our seniors are going to be a huge part of our success,” Cobra said. “I think they’re going to take the team to the next level as far as their leadership.”
Cobra has focused on developing the fitness of her team during the preseason, as well as constructing practice scenarios that are as close to reality as possible.
“As a team, we’ve got to get mentally tough,” she said. “So we put (the players) through a lot of challenges during practice to make sure they’re able to do well when they’re in a match.”
Cobra said one of her main goals for the season is to develop team unity among her players.
“We’re not as good individually as we are as a group,” she said. “Having a team environment is what the fall is all about. They come here as individuals, but they soon become part of a team.”
The Vandals open up season play at the Washington State Invitational Friday. The invite includes teams such as Boise State, Portland State, Washington State and Oregon.
Idaho will look to solidify its status as a national competitor with matches against several Pac-12 opponents and settle a score with the Broncos as part of the in-state rivalry.
Idaho then travels to Las Vegas for the ITA Regional Oct. 14-18 and Spokane for the Gonzaga Invitational Nov. 6-8. The Vandals will wrap up the fall season with the Rebel Invitational Nov. 13-15 in Las Vegas.
Josh Grissom can be reached at [email protected]