March 7, 2009
Final Stats
Complete Eastern Washington Box Score 
Pocatello, ID-The Bengals captured victories in their top two singles spots as juniors Lisel Lewis and Sophie Dang led the way in Idaho State's 5-2 loss to Eastern Washington at Reed Gym Saturday morning. The Bengals are consistently improving their singles play as they have captured two singles victories in their last two matches. Eastern Washington improved to 6-5 for season and 4-2 in Big Sky games while Idaho State fell to 0-7 for the season and 0-2 in conference play.
The Bengals began the contest down 0-1 as they were overcome in doubles play. Dang and senior Stephanie Roldan began with a 3-0 lead, but the Eagles would win the next four games to post a 4-3 lead. The Bengals would tie it up at 5-5, but Amanda Mankovits and Marie Demerath would close out the pro set at 8-5 at the number one spot. Lewis and freshman Risa Fujiwara would fall 8-3 at the number two spot to Kasie King and Caitlin Bampton.
Kelli Ogborn played the first singles match of the contest and was overcome 6-1, 6-0 by Eastern Washington's Heather Handwerk at the number five spot. Roldan was the next to leave the court with a 6-3, 6-0 loss to Rachel Berger at the number three spot.
Dang improved to a 3-4 singles record, winning her last two singles matches, with her 6-1, 7-5 victory over Bampton at the number two spot. Dang dropped the first game, but won the next eight games to secure the first set and take a 2-0 lead in the second. The Eagle would tie it up at 4-4 and hold service, but Dang fought back to win the next three games overcoming the Eagle at the number two spot.
"In Sophie's case it is confidence," said head men's and women's coach Bobby Goeltz. "You win a couple matches you start believing you can win."
Lewis captured the first singles victory overcoming Demerath 6-3 in the first set. The Bengal led consistently throughout the match leading by a break until she closed out the set winning the last two games. Demerath was up a break in the second, 2-1, but retired due to a shoulder injury.
"Today she's back on track to having played well as she did in the past," said Goeltz.
Freshman Fujiwara fell to Judy Liening 6-3, 6-3 at the number four spot. The Bengal showed determination in the second set as she was down 2-1 and came back to tie it at 2-2. Liening held service and broke Fujiwara, but the freshman would capture another game before falling in the second set.
The Bengals return to the courts on Thursday, March 19 at Reed Gym to take on Houston at 1 p.m.
Notes: Idaho State forfeited the number three doubles spot and number six singles spot due to a five player roster.
