FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. – It did not come easy but the Northern Arizona women's tennis team (6-6) defeated Idaho State 6-1 t move to .500 for the first time this season. In just the second home match of the season, the Lumberjacks remained a perfect 3-0 in the Big Sky.

"There is not a bad team in the Big Sky," said head coach Kim Bruno. "I know that every Big Sky team comes out and wants to beat NAU so we always have to be ready. We had a good doubles performance but started off slow at the beginning of singles but the girls dug deep to pull this one out. A win is all that matters and we came away with a victory today."

Northern Arizona may have had their best performance in doubles this season with victories on courts one and two, taking the early 1-0 lead. Johanna Vang and Marta Lewandowska picked up their second straight win in doubles as the No. 1 team with a 6-2 victory over Marian Tangarife and Kasey Bacon. Hailey Rochin and Emelia Box sealed the doubles point for the Lumberjacks on court two defeating Madelyn Weltzin and Wiebke Boeckmann 6-3.

NAU carried the momentum into singles play with a 7-6, 6-4 victory on the No. 1 court to give NAU the 2-0 lead. Jordan Denesik continues her hot streak on court five winning her fifth straight match in singles. Denesik defeated Weltzin 6-3, 6-3 giving NAU a commanding 3-0 lead. Lewandowska clinched the match for the Lumberjacks on court four defeating Svenja Tegtmeier in a tough three-set match. Lewandowska dominated the first set 6-0 but Tegtmeier responded in the second set with a 6-4 win forcing a third set but Lewandowska came back to defeat Tegtmeier 6-4, giving Northern Arizona its third win in conference.

Sara Brown has found her groove during conference play winning her second straight match in singles with a 4-6, 6-2, 6-3 victory.

"Another win in the Big Sky feels great," said Brown. "Coach has helped me out a lot in practice giving me confidence and now I am able to translate it onto the court."  

The Lumberjacks have a quick turnaround as they prepare for another Big Sky matchup tomorrow, Mar. 25, against Eastern Washington at Continental Country Club.

"This was huge to start out this homestand," said Bruno. "I truly believe we needed a tough long match like today to help us improve. Tomorrow we will need to come out with even more intensity against Eastern Washington to pull out a win."

Results

Doubles

1. Johanna Vang/Marta Lewandowska (NAU) def. Marian Tangarife/Kasey Bacon (ISU) 6-2
2. Hailey Rochin/Emelia Box (NAU) def. Madelyn Weltzin/Wiebke Boeckmann (ISU) 6-3
3. Jordan Denesik/Livia Hollosy (NAU) vs. Svenja Tegtmeier/Laura Theus (ISU) 5-4 unfinished

Singles

1. Johanna Vang (NAU) def. Kasey Bacon (ISU) 7-6, 6-4
2. Marian Tangarife (ISU) def. Hailey Rochin (NAU) 4-6, 6-3, 6-4
3. Emelia Box (NAU) def. Wiebke Boeckmann (ISU) 2-6, 6-2, 7-6
4. Marta Lewandowska (NAU) def. Svenja Tegtmeier (ISU) 6-0, 4-6, 6-4
5. Jordan Denesik (NAU) def. Madelyn Weltzin (ISU) 6-3, 6-3
6. Sara Brown (NAU) def. Laura Theus (ISU) 4-6, 6-2, 6-3