MOSCOW, Idaho – The Montana State women’s tennis team battled valiantly but ultimately fell to the University of Idaho Vandals, 5-2, in their Big Sky Conference opener held Friday at the P1FCU Kibbie Dome. Despite securing two crucial singles victories, the Bobcats couldn’t overcome a strong performance from Idaho, moving to a 3-4 season record while the Vandals improved to 4-6, according to the Big Sky Conference website.
The match was characterized by competitive play, featuring two three-set singles matches, including one that extended to a tiebreaker. Montana State head coach Hailey Barrett praised her team’s resilience, stating, “I’m proud of our fight today against a tough Idaho team. Anna and Angel played very well in singles, and Angel and Nia were just points away from winning their doubles match. Nia came very close to pulling out her singles match as well. We will regroup and get ready for another battle on Sunday against Washington State.”
The Vandals gained an early advantage by winning the doubles point, securing victories on courts three and one. Kavya Khirwar and Lola Bean were defeated by Valentina Rodas and Chenyue Xu with a score of 6-2. Anna Wise and Terezie Stverakova fought hard against Jessica Matthews and Naomi Schraeder, but ultimately fell 7-5. Angel Bean and Nia Gelashvili were leading 5-4 on court two when their match was abandoned.
Idaho extended their lead to 2-0 before Montana State responded with back-to-back singles wins. Angel Bean secured the first point for the Bobcats, defeating Ida Johansson 6-4, 6-4. Anna Wise then tied the match at 2-2 with a hard-fought victory over Naomi Schraeder, winning 6-4, 3-6, 6-2. However, Idaho regained the lead when Chenyue Xu defeated Nia Gelashvili in a marathon match lasting two hours and 48 minutes, with a final score of 4-6, 6-4, 7-6 (4-7). The Vandals then clinched the victory with wins on courts five and six.
The Bobcats will continue their road trip, traveling to Pullman, Washington, to face Washington State on Sunday at 3 p.m. MT. The match will be held at Hollingbery Fieldhouse and can be viewed live according to Yahoo Sports.
Here’s a breakdown of the match results:
| Doubles: |
|---|
| 1. Jessica Matthews/Naomi Schraeder (UI) def. Anna Wise/Terezie Stverakova (MSU) 7-5 |
| 2. Angel Bean/Nia Gelashvili (MSU) vs. Ida Johansson/Hanna Koprowska (UI) 5-4, unfinished |
| 3. Valentina Rodas/Chenyue Xu (UI) def. Kavya Khirwar/Lola Bean (MSU) 6-2 |
| Singles: |
|---|
| 1. Chenyue Xu (UI) def. Nia Gelashvili (MSU) 4-6, 6-4, 7-6 (7-4) |
| 2. Anna Wise (MSU) def. Naomi Schraeder (UI) 6-4, 3-6, 6-2 |
| 3. Angel Bean (MSU) def. Ida Johansson (UI) 6-4, 6-4 |
| 4. Hanna Koprowska (UI) def. Terezie Stverakova (MSU) 6-4, 6-2 |
| 5. Valentina Rodas (UI) def. Kavya Khirwar (MSU) 7-6, 6-3 |
| 6. Mariam Hatem (UI) def. Lola Bean (MSU) 6-4, 6-4 |
The order of finish was Doubles (3,1); Singles (4,3,2,1,5,6).
Fans can follow the Montana State women’s tennis team on Instagram at @MSUWomensTennis for the latest updates and behind-the-scenes coverage. Additional information about the Montana State athletic program is available at msubobcats.com, as well as on Twitter at @MSUBobcats, Instagram at @MontanaStateBobcats, and Facebook at Montana State Bobcats.
Looking ahead, the Bobcats will aim to regroup and translate their singles successes into a team victory against Washington State. The match on Sunday will be a key opportunity for Montana State to refine their strategy and build momentum as they navigate the Big Sky Conference season.
What are your thoughts on the Bobcats’ performance? Share your comments below and join the conversation!
