Women’s Tennis
As the three seed, UI took on the sixth seed Portland State Vikings who they shut out 4-0. In doubles play, the Vandals won the first two matches with the third going unfinished. The duos of Valentina Rodas and Naomi Schraeder along with Hannah Koprowska and Diana Khaydarshina won their doubles matchups.
In singles, Schraeder, Koprowska and Annabel Davis all won the first three matchups. Since the Vandals already reached the winning mark of four match points, the other three singles matches went unfinished. UI defeated PSU 7-0 back on March 9, so they have now outscored the Vikings 11-0 this season and moved on to the semifinals for a matchup against Sacramento State.
On day two, in the semifinals, the Vandals took on the two-seed Hornets of SCSU where their 2024-25 season came to an end with a 4-0 defeat. SCSU swept doubles, taking the first two matchups and the third was not completed. They then took the first three singles matches to take the 4-0 win and end the Vandals’ season. All three matches the Hornets won were in straight sets.
UI finished the year 15-6 overall and 6-2 in Big Sky play. Only one player on the Vandals roster is a senior, so the tennis team should see a lot of returning players next season. SCSU did go on and beat Northern Arizona 4-0 in the final, winning their second straight Big Sky women’s tennis championship.
Men’s Tennis
The Vandals entered the Big Sky Championships as the fourth seed and on day one, they took care of business against the five-seed Weber State Wildcats. UI took the match by a 4-2 result with a rocky start in the first two doubles matches. They rebounded by winning four of five completed singles matches.
Francisco Gay, back from injury, was victorious along with Chetanna Amadike, Sebastian Medica and Gabriel Moroder. Yu-Shun Lai’s match was the only one that was not complete as the Vandals had already reached the mark of four wins and were moving on to round two.
On day two, the Vandals had a tough test as they took on the top-seed Northern Arizona Lumberjacks. NAU put the 2024-25 season for UI to an end, winning 4-1. They started by sweeping doubles play and winning the first two matches, with the third being unfinished. In singles, they took three of the four matches to reach the winning mark. Gay was the only Vandal to win, taking his opponent down 7-5, 6-2.
UI finishes the season 12-10 overall and 5-3 within the conference. NAU for those wondering would lose in the final to Montana by a 4-2 final. The Grizzlies won their first Big Sky tennis title in 11 years.
You can reach Jackson Hamelund at [email protected]