POCATELLO, Idaho – The Idaho State women's tennis squad hosted 2 matches this weekend, going up against Montana and Utah Tech.
In the Bengals' match vs. Montana, ISU would get the win in the #2 & #3 doubles matches to open the day, heading into singles play up 1-0.
DOUBLES
Haugen/Sterk (UM) def. Shoybek/Shalakhova (ISU) 6-0
Zarovna/Mikkelson (ISU) def. Moir/Phillips (UM) 6-0
Day/Grymalska (ISU) def. Prichard/Freeman (UM) 6-3
When asked about their #2 doubles win
Veronika Zarovna would respond, "I was proud of our performance [in the #2 doubles match] because we were playing at a high level. I was glad with how we fought."
Zarovna's doubles teammate,
Olivia Mikkelson, would add on saying, "It was a tight score, so we had to learn how to handle the pressure. So I am really proud of how we handled those nerves and to come out with a win."
Idaho State looked to build off their doubles momentum, and they would, winning 5 of their 6 singles matches.
SINGLES
Grace Haugen (UM) def.
Stefanya Shalakhova (ISU) 7-6 (7-5), 7-6 (7-2)
Asem Shoybek (ISU) def. Kelsey Phillips (UM) 6-3, 6-1
Millie Day (ISU) def. Rosie Sterk (UM) 6-3, 6-4
Sydney Morris (ISU) def. Piper Freeman (UM) 6-4, 7-6 (7-3)
Veronika Zarovna (ISU) def. Olivia Moir (UM) 6-2, 7-5
Olivia Mikkelson (ISU) def. Kate Prichard (UM) 6-2, 6-2
When asked about their singles play
Olivia Mikkelson would reply, "I had to switch up my style of play, it was not the style of play I am used to, I had to slice and get balls back, and be gritty. So, I am proud that I was able to get a good score, and beat my opponent.
Looking at all of my teammates playing around me, there was a collective belief that I could feel today, everyone was out there for blood, and I am really happy with how everyone competed."
Following the dominant 6-1 win, Idaho State had their sights set on their next opponent, Utah Tech, on Sunday morning.
In doubles vs. the Trailblazers, ISU showed more of what they put out against Montana just two days prior, sweeping UT in doubles play.
DOUBLES
Shoybek/Shalakhova (ISU) def. Inouye/Zurita (UT) 6-3
Zarovna/Mikkelson (ISU) def. Sampere/Bustos (UT) 6-2
Day/Grymalska (ISU) def. Kells/Coulome (UT) 6-1
The Bengals would not let up in their singles matches, with each Bengals taking the victory for a clean 7-0 sweep of Utah Tech.
SINGLES
Stefanya Shalakhova (ISU) def. Mariana Zurita (UT) 6-2, 6-0
Millie Day (ISU) def. Ana G. Sampere (UT) 6-1, 6-0
Sydney Morris (ISU) def. Maya Inouye (UT) 4-6, 6-2, 1-0 (10-2)
Veronika Zarovna (ISU) def. Laura Coulome (UT) 6-0, 6-2
Olivia Mikkelson (ISU) def. Nicole Kells (UT) 6-0, 6-1
Victoria Grymalska (ISU) def. Raquel Roshak (UT) 6-3, 6-2
Head Coach,
Gretchen Maloney, would share her thoughts on the team's performances over the weekend, "I am super happy with how the girls played… It was nice to see them go out and figure out a way to win… Everyone came out with the mindset that they were going to make more balls and we're not going to make errors, and it fun to see that."
Following their 2-0 weekend of play, Idaho State will improve to 9-8 on the season, and 2-2 in Big Sky Conference play.
UP NEXT
Up next for Idaho State, they will host two of the top three teams in the Big Sky Conference, Sacramento State & the University of Idaho, next weekend. The Bengals have the Hornets come to town on Friday, March, 28
th at noon, followed by their match vs. Idaho on Sunday, March, 30
th, also beginning at noon.
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