Box Score POCATELLO, Idaho – The Idaho State women's tennis team lost 6-1 to Idaho in its conference opener inside Reed Gym Saturday afternoon. Idaho, the reigning champion after winning its fourth-consecutive title in 2018, improved to 2-3 overall and 2-0 in conference play. Idaho State is now 3-4 with an 0-1 mark in Big Sky play.
"Tough results but it was a pretty good battle," said Head Coach
Gretchen Maloney. "We had some chances to win the doubles point and let them slip away. In singles we were overpowered a bit but fought hard. They are the conference champs for a reason."
Madison Fenske and
Melissa Coburn began the match with a 6-0 sweep at No. 3 doubles. Idaho rallied back at the No. 1 and 2 courts to take the doubles point.
The Vandals won the first three matches of singles play to secure the victory, but
Alexandra Arkhipov remained strong at No. 4 singles to give ISU its only point. The freshman fell 2-6 in the first set before securing a close win in the second with a 7-6 (6) victory. She completed the comeback win with a 10-6 win in the tiebreak.
Angela Walker was the only other player to take a set in singles play. She forced a third set after falling behind, but was defeated 6-4, 4-6, 10-5.
The Bengals return to Reed Gym for a pair of home matches against Big Sky opponents in two weeks. ISU faces Portland State March 1 and Eastern Washington March 2.
