POCATELLO, Idaho – The Idaho State women's tennis team continued its strong Big Sky run with back-to-back 5–2 victories over Eastern Washington on Friday and Portland State on Sunday, improving to 12–7 overall and 6–2 in conference play, ending the regular season on a four-match winnning streak.

Sunday's win carried added significance, as Idaho State honored seniors Stefanya Shalakhova and Sydney Morris prior to the match, recognizing the pair before the final home competition of their careers at Reed Gym.

Idaho State 5, Eastern Washington 2

Eastern Washington vs. ISU Match Report

Doubles

Idaho State secured the doubles point with wins on courts one and three to take early control.

• No. 1 Doubles: Veronika Zarovna / Stefanya Shalakhova (ISU) def. Marais/Pradel (EWU), 6–4
• No. 2 Doubles: Millie Day / Emmy Richards (ISU) fell to Arutiunian/Vasic (EWU), 5–7
• No. 3 Doubles: Sydney Morris / Asem Shoybek (ISU) def. Nizetic/Lopez (EWU), 6–2

Singles

The Bengals won four of six singles matches, using strong play in the middle and bottom of the lineup to secure the victory.

• No. 1 Singles: Millie Day (ISU) def. Nizetic (EWU), 6–4, 7–5
• No. 2 Singles: Stefanya Shalakhova (ISU) fell to Arutiunian (EWU), 3–6, 6–2, 3–6
• No. 3 Singles: Asem Shoybek (ISU) fell to Pradel (EWU), 6–7 (0-7), 3–6
• No. 4 Singles: Emmy Richards (ISU) def. Gayevyk (EWU), 6–4, 6–1
• No. 5 Singles: Sydney Morris (ISU) def. Marais (EWU), 7–5, 6–1
• No. 6 Singles: Veronika Zarovna (ISU) def. Zamfirescu (EWU), 6–4, 6–1

Idaho State 5, Portland State 2

Portland State vs. ISU Match Report

Doubles

Idaho State locked in during doubles play, earning the point with clean performances on courts two and three.

• No. 1 Doubles: Stefanya Shalakhova / Veronika Zarovna (ISU) vs. Abdelhamid/Giglio (PSU), unfinished (4–5)
• No. 2 Doubles: Millie Day / Emmy Richards (ISU) def. Uemura/Hirayama (PSU), 6–3
• No. 3 Doubles: Sydney Morris / Asem Shoybek (ISU) def. Ige/Perkins (PSU), 6–1

Head coach Gretchen Maloney noted the challenge of managing emotions on Senior Day.

"It was a little challenging with all the emotions, but I felt like we locked in really well on courts two and three and played clean. Getting the doubles point made the match easier."

Singles

The Bengals secured the win with four singles victories, highlighted by strong performances throughout the lineup.

• No. 1 Singles: Millie Day (ISU) def. Perkins (PSU), 6–1, retired
• No. 2 Singles: Stefanya Shalakhova (ISU) fell to Giglio (PSU), 4–6, 2–6
• No. 3 Singles: Asem Shoybek (ISU) def. Uemura (PSU), 6–0, 6–3
• No. 4 Singles: Emmy Richards (ISU) def. Abdelhamid (PSU), 3–6, 6–2, 6–2
• No. 5 Singles: Sydney Morris (ISU) fell to Hirayama (PSU), 3–6, 6–0, 0-1 (7–10)
• No. 6 Singles: Veronika Zarovna (ISU) def. Ige (PSU), 7–5, 6–1

In a match filled with momentum swings, Idaho State's ability to settle in after the emotional pre-match ceremony proved key.

"These girls are so gritty. In tough matches, they figure out a way to turn it around and come through," Maloney said. "That match could have gone either way, but they found a way."

Maloney also reflected on the team's growth and belief.

"They believe they can win conference. We've improved in training and they've worked hard to put themselves in this position. We just have to keep taking it one point at a time."

The Bengals are still in contention for a Big Sky regular season championship, as both the Bengals and NAU Lumberjacks finished conference play 6-2, the Sacramento State Hornets sit atop the standings having already clinched at least a share of the regular season championship at 6-1. The Hornets' final regular season match comes next Friday against Portland State. If the Vikings can find a way to win, the Bengals, Lumberjacks, and Hornets would split the regular season championship. 

Idaho State has already clinched the 3rd seed in the Big Sky Championships in 2 weeks.