POCATELLO, Idaho – The Bengals women's tennis team hosted two of the Big Sky's top three teams this weekend, taking on Idaho on Friday and Sacramento State on Sunday, both in Reed Gym.
In the Bengals' match vs. Idaho, ISU would get the win in the #1 doubles match, but be unable to close things out in the #2 or #3 doubles matches, both falling in tiebreakers, and allowing the Vandals to take the doubles team point.
DOUBLES
Shoybek/Shalakhova (ISU) def. Beckx/Johansson (UI) 6-4
Rodas/Schrader (UI) def. Zarovna/Mikkelson (ISU) 7-6 (7-3)
Koprowska/Khaydarshina (UI) def. Day/Grymalska (ISU) 7-6 (7-2)
Idaho State looked to make a comeback in singles play, but for every punch the Bengals threw, the Vandals had a response, with just
Millie Day coming away with a singles victory for ISU.
SINGLES
Diana Khaydarshina (UI) def.
Stefanya Shalakhova (ISU) 7-6 (7-5), 7-6 (7-2)
Annabel Davis (UI) def.
Asem Shoybek (ISU) 6-3, 6-1
Millie Day (ISU) def. Hanna Koprowska (UI) 6-3, 6-4
Naomi Schrader (UI) def.
Sydney Morris (ISU) 6-4, 7-6 (7-3)
Valentina Rodas (UI) def.
Veronika Zarovna (ISU) 6-2, 7-5
Chenyue Xu (UI) def.
Olivia Mikkelson (ISU) 6-2, 6-2
Following the 1-6 loss to rivals, the Idaho Vandals, Idaho State would need to regroup quickly for their match Sunday morning against the Big Sky's top team, Sacramento State.
Prior to Sunday morning's match the Bengals would honor their lone senior leaving and team captain,
Olivia Mikkelson. "Having Liv on our team, the past three years has been such a blessing to me," says Head Coach Maloney. "She is a captain in every sense and is so good to the team. She's a natural leader and I am so grateful that I've had her on our team."
In doubles vs. the Hornets on Sunday morning, ISU would fall in the #2 & #3 doubles matches, giving Sac State the doubles point.
DOUBLES
Shoybek/Shalakhova (ISU) vs. Ferreros/Riva (SAC) 4-5, unfinished
Pranyte/Baudouin (SAC) def. Zarovna/Mikkelson (ISU) 6-3
Walker/Saulevich (SAC) def. Day/Grymalska (ISU) 6-0
Idaho State would come to play in the singles matches, however, the top ranked Hornets would prove to be too much for the Bengals, and ISU would fall to Sacramento State, 2-5.
SINGLES
Maddy Ferreros (SAC) def.
Asem Shoybek (ISU) 3-6, 6-3, 6-2
Reese Walker (SAC) def.
Stefanya Shalakhova (ISU) 6-0, 6-2
Millie Day (ISU) def. Lou Baudouin (SAC) 6-4, 7-5
Sydney Morris (ISU) def. Emilija Pranyte (SAC) 0-6, 6-2, 6-3
Elena Mercioiu (SAC) def.
Victoria Grymalska (ISU) 3-6, 6-0, 1-0 (10-5)
Irene Riva (SAC) def.
Olivia Mikkelson (ISU) 6-1, 6-0
Bengals HC,
Gretchen Maloney, would share how she thought the Bengals performed over their weekend of play, "Overall, I felt we played pretty solid… better today against Sacramento State than we did on Friday vs. Idaho.
We are still young and making too many unforced errors, we are learning how to play clean tennis… I am happy with how the girls are responding and are very coachable."
Following their 0-2 weekend of play, Idaho State will fall to 9-10 on the season, and 2-4 in Big Sky Conference play.
UP NEXT
Up next for Idaho State, they will travel to Bozeman, Montana for a match against the Montana State Bobcats on Sunday, April 6
th. The Bengals ride a 6-match winning streak vs. MSU, and have not lost to the Bobcats since 2017.
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