SACRAMENTO, Calif. – For the second straight season the Idaho women's tennis team has advanced to the final of the Big Sky Championship, this time after defeating host Sacramento State, 4-2, in Saturday's semifinal.
The Vandals took the doubles point behind strong play at No. 2 and No. 3. Lucia Badillos and Marianna Petrei again set the tone, winning their match at third doubles, 6-2. Rita Bermudez and Maria Tavares battled at second doubles but edged out their opponents 6-4 to earn the point.
“I kind of felt confident, once we won the doubles point,” said head coach Mariana Cobra. “The doubles point is the key for us right now. Getting that point early is massive for us. Earlier in the year, we lost the doubles point and we lost the match 4-3. This time, we win the doubles point and we win the match.”
Bermudez came up big in singles as well, giving Idaho the deciding fourth point at second singles. The senior won her first set, 6-3, before falling in the second, 6-4. She came back strong in the third, winning 6-1 to give Idaho the win.
“Rita, one of our seniors, got the win for us,” Cobra said. “When I knew it was coming down to her, I felt very confident that she would get the job done. She really stuck in there and battled and got us the point that we needed.”
Petrei and Tavares were also victorious at singles. Petrei continued her dominance, winning at first singles, 6-2, 6-3. Tavares was tremendous at sixth singles, taking the match, 6-1, 6-2.
“This was a huge match for us, but we have to get ready for tomorrow,” said Cobra. “We need to turn around and be ready for the finals in the morning.
“Preparing for the finals, we just have to go in and shut NAU down with our doubles like we have been doing. I'm confident, the girls are confident, but it's absolutely not going to be easy. NAU is fresh, so we're really going to need a strong effort to win tomorrow. We really have to be ready, physically and mentally.”
Idaho will take on a tough Northern Arizona squad in Sunday's championship. The Vandals fell in the first meeting this season, 4-3, in Pullman, but are playing their best tennis of the year at the right time. Idaho is no stranger to championship matches, however, having won back-to-back conference championships.
To stay current on all Vandal Athletics visit GoVandals.com, or follow the Vandals on Twitter, @Idaho_Vandals.
Fans can stay up-to-date on all things Idaho women's tennis by following the team on Twitter @IdahoWTennis.
DOUBLES RESULTS
1. Ana Batiri/Belen Barcenilla vs. Ana Loaiza Esquivias/Jennifer Ong – No Result
2. Rita Bermudez/Maria Tavares def. Deimante Bulatovaite/Alina Soltanici – 6-4
3. Lucia Badillos/Marianna Petrei def. Emily McColl/Anna-Maria Nau – 6-2
SINGLES RESULTS
1. Marianna Petrei def. Alina Soltanici – 6-2, 6-3
2. Rita Bermudez def. Jennifer Ong – 6-3, 4-6, 6-1
3. Ana Loaiza Esquivias def. Ana Batiri – 6-3, 6-4
4. Celine Koets vs. Deimante Bulatovaite – No Result
5. Andie Mouzes def. Belen Barcenilla – 7-5, 6-3
6. Maria Tavares def. Anna-Maria Nau – 6-1, 6-2
