OGDEN, Utah—Idaho freshman Marianna Petrei was named the Big Sky Player of the Week the conference announced on Wednesday. For Petrei it marks the second honor of the season.
Petrei, a freshman from Udine, Italy, went 3-0 for the Vandals at No. 1 singles during a road trip to California. She helped Idaho defeat Sonoma State after rolling past Jordyn Kearney 6-0, 6-1 and adding an 8-3 victory at No. 3 doubles with Celine Koets. In a critical Big Sky matchup at Sacramento State, she handed Alina Soltanici her first conference loss this season. Soltanici, an All-Big Sky first team selection last season, took the opening set 6-3 before Petrei answered with a 6-1 and 6-4 decision to give Idaho a 3-2 lead. In a rematch of last year's tournament final, Sac State rallied to take the next two points and win 4-3.
Facing No. 73 ranked San Jose State, Petrei closed the week with a 6-4, 6-2 victory over Sybille Gauvain, an All-Mountain West singles selection last season. Her doubles matches against Sac State and SJSU both went unfinished. Petrei improved to 14-2 overall this season and 6-0 in league play. Her only two losses this season have both come in three sets.