LEWISTON, Idaho – The women's tennis squad took down Big Sky foe Weber State on Saturday afternoon in Lewiston, 6-1. With the win, the Vandals move to 3-1 in Big Sky play, while Weber State takes its first loss of the year.
“The girls are playing much more confident,” said head coach Mariana Cobra. “We're winning the big points, the most important points, and we're playing more disciplined, high-percentage tennis. When we get to a deuce, and we're confident, we know we'll win that point.”
The women got out to a great start, taking the second and first doubles matches to win the point. Rita Bermudez and Maria Tavares made short work of their opponents, winning 6-0, while Ana Batiri and Belen Barcenilla topped theirs, 6-1.
“Our doubles have been tremendously successful of late and that has really helped us build some momentum heading into the singles,” Cobra said. “It's good to see the doubles, one-to-three, all working well right now.”
The singles were much of the same for the Vandals, winning 5-of-6. Tavares earned the win in fourth singles, defeating her opponent 6-1, 6-2. Tavares has been playing well of late, winning six of her last seven singles matches.
“Maria has been one of our top players over the last few matches,” said Cobra. “She stepped up again today with another big win.”
Marianna Petrei continued her winning ways in first singles, moving to 4-0 in Big Sky play with a 6-2, 7-6 win over Agata Bachanek. Batiri closed out the win for the Vandals, taking a back-and-forth match at third singles, 6-1, 2-6, 6-3.
Bermudez needed a little extra tennis to take care of business in second singles, defeating her opponent 6-4, 5-7, 10-8. Barcenilla won at sixth singles, 6-3, 6-4.
“Marianna continues to play great tennis,” Cobra said. “Rita showed her resilience today, battling back after a difficult second set and staying strong throughout the third.”
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Singles
1 Marianna Petrei def. Agata Bachanek, 6-2, 7-6
2 Rita Bermudez def. Kristi Elmer, 6-4, 5-7, 10-8
3 Ana Batiri def. Sara Parker, 6-1, 2-6, 6-3
4 Maria Tavares def. Dominique Beauvais, 6-1, 6-2
5 Devi Hasan def. Lucia Badillos, 6-2, 6-2
6 Belen Barcenilla def. Morgan Dickason, 6-3, 6-4
Order: 4, 1, 3, 2, 5, 6
Doubles
1 Batiri/Barcenilla def. Elmer/Parker, 6-1
2 Bermudez/Tavares def. Beauvais/Dickason, 6-0
3 Bachanek/Hasan def. Petrei/Badillos, 6-4
Order: 2, 1, 3
