The Idaho Vandals looked to get back in the win column when they returned to the tennis courts. Idaho rolled to a 6-1 road victory over Seattle University, and a 4-3 victory over Sacramento State, on senior night at the P1FCU Kibbie Dome to move their record to (10-7, 4-1).
Seattle University
The Vandals suffered their first conference loss of the season to the Idaho State Bengals (6-1) the previous Saturday and looked to regain the momentum of their five-game winning streak.
They hit the courts in Seattle to face the struggling Redhawks, who came in with a record of 1-8. The Vandals got off to a good start, securing the doubles point. Sophomore duo Ida Johansson and Hanna Koprowska defeated junior Daria Nazarenko and freshman Amina Avdic 6-0. Senior Valentina Rodas and sophomore Soha Singh then added a 6-3 victory over sophomore Maija Tamura and senior Larissa Teramura to clinch the doubles point.
The Redhawks tied the match in the first singles matchup when junior Lamija Avdic defeated sophomore Chenyue Xu 6-2, 6-1.
In the second singles match, junior Naomi Schraeder and senior Natalia Michta locked into an intense three-set battle. Schraeder won the first set 7-6. Michta responded with a 6-4 victory to force a third set, where Schraeder prevailed 10-8 to give Idaho the lead back.
From there, Koprowska, Johansson, Singh and senior Mariam Hatem all won their singles matches to give Idaho the 6-1 victory and set up a senior day showdown with the Hornets.
Sacramento State
Idaho returned to the Kibbie Dome for the final time this season, celebrating seniors Hatem and Rodas before their important match with the Hornets.
Hatem, a native of Cairo, Egypt, has been a steady and experienced force for the Vandals, suiting up in the Kibbie Dome for the final time as a Vandal.
Rodas, a native of Medellin, Colombia, is coming off her best season as a Vandal, finishing 14-5 in 2024. She has been a reliable presence all season, coming through when the team needs it most.
The Hornets came in riding a six-game winning streak, boasting a 4-0 conference record and a no. 58 national ranking. They came out and swept the doubles matches.
Junior Irene Riva and senior Palina Saulevich got it started with a 6-1 victory over Schraeder and Xu. Freshman Isabella Temengov and redshirt junior Lou Baudouin extended the lead with a 6-3 victory over Koprowska and Johansson. Freshman Cami Maldonado and senior Reese Walker completed the sweep with a 6-3 victory over Rodas and Singh, giving Sacramento State all the momentum heading into singles play.
Xu tied the match for Idaho with a 6-1, 7-5 victory, before Baudouin defeated Schraeder in three sets 2-6, 6-0, 6-0 to give the Hornets a 2-1 lead. Riva extended Sacramento State’s advantage with a 6-4, 6-4 victory over Koprowska, putting the Vandals in a must-win situation.
Idaho answered the challenge. Johansson defeated Maldonado 6-3, 6-1, setting up a dramatic finish in the final two matches.
Rodas stepped up first against Saulevich in a pivotal matchup. She battled for every point across three sets, falling in the first 7-6 before rattling off back-to-back 6-3 victories to even the match and send it to the seventh and final match.
Singh and Temengov played the decisive final match, and Singh delivered, securing a 6-1, 6-4 victory to give Idaho its tenth win of the season.
Idaho has three matches remaining in Big Sky play before the championship tournament and will look to continue their impressive form. The Vandals head to Portland, Oregon, next to take on Portland State (5-5, 1-2) on Sunday, March 29, at 10 a.m.