PULLMAN, Wash. – After being taken down by the University of Idaho on their home turf last season, the Northern Arizona University women's tennis team sought revenge in 2016. In yet another gutsy come-from-behind win this season, Head Coach Kim Bruno and her squad move to 2-1 this season and 1-0 in the Big Sky Conference after toppling the defending Big Sky Champions 4-3. In the coaches preaseason poll, Idaho was picked to finish second in the Big Sky. 

"There is no question that we were the tougher team today," Bruno said. "The Vandals never go away; they're fighters. We have been talking about this level of toughness since the fall, but we showed action and performance today. I couldn't be more proud of how every one of our girls played in singles."

While freshman Hanneke Lodewijks and sophomore Blanka Szavay remain perfect on the season in doubles action after defeating Idaho's Belen Barcenilla and Celine Koets 6-2, the 'Jacks dropped the doubles point to kick off the afternoon.

"After doubles, I was a bit worried because we didn't show up and execute our game plan," Bruno explained. "But what a gutsy performance from every one of our singles players; we played from behind and the girls just fought and fought. They stuck with what they know they can do."

While NAU was able to edge out the Vandals on the singles end, it certainly did not come easy. Both Szavay and junior Hailey Rochin dropped their first sets and bounced back to get the victory. Marta Lewandowska also had her hands full against Idaho's Barcenilla but would walk away victorious with a final score of 6-3, 4-6, 7-5. Rochin garnered the Lumberjacks' first singles point and the rest followed suit with Jordan Denesik sealing the deal in straight sets against Rita Bermudez.

Bruno and her team look to carry this momentum into tomorrow's matches against Seattle University and Washington State. This will close out play in Pullman before the 'Jacks seek their second Big Sky victory over Eastern Washington on Sunday, Feb. 7

"We have to have more confidence now," Bruno noted. We've talked about beating teams like Idaho and now we should have the confidence to do that moving forward. I think each match we are going to get better and better. This is just the beginning for us, but we are definitely going to celebrate this win tonight because they deserve it."

Results

Doubles

1. Hanneke Lodewijks/Blanka Szavay (NAU) def. Belen Barcenilla/Celine Koets (ID) 6-2
2. Maria Tavares/Rita Bermudez (ID) def. Marta Lewandowksa/Hailey Rochin (NAU) 6-2
3. Lucia Badillos/Ana Batiri (ID) def. Jordan Denesik/Emelia Box (NAU) 6-3

Order of Finish: 2, 1, 3

Singles

1. Marianna Petrei (ID) def. Hanneke Lodewijks (NAU) 6-4, 6-4
2. Blanka Szavay (NAU) def. Ana Batiri (ID) 5-7, 6-4, 6-1
3. Marta Lewandowksa (NAU) def. Belen Barcenilla (ID) 6-3, 4-6, 7-5
4. Hailey Rochin (NAU) def. Maria Tavares (ID) 2-6, 6-3, 6-3
5. Jordan Denesik (NAU) def. Rita Bermudez (ID) 6-3, 6-4
6. Lucia Badillos (ID) def. Sara Brown (NAU) 6-3, 1-6, 10-7

Order of Finish: 1, 4, 3, 2, 5, 6