Moscow, Idaho - The Eastern Washington University women's tennis was defeated 6-1 on the road by Big Sky Conference opponent Idaho, on Friday, April 1.

Eastern dropped to 9-9 with the loss and 3-4 in Big Sky play.

Despite Idaho securing the doubles point through the first two matches, EWU was just a few games away from swinging the point in its favor. With the first match in the Vandals' favor, the team of junior Katrina Domingo and junior Dani Young nearly evened out the match, falling in a 7-5 battle against Lucia Badillos and Marianna Petrei. Senior Moira Hedberg and sophomore Rachel Swindell were ahead of the UI team of Maria Tavares and Rita Bermudez 6-5, when the doubles competition was cut short.

Playing out of the No. 2 spot this time around, sophomore Janaya Smith earned a singles victory by defeating Bermudez 6-4, 6-1. Freshman Faye Worrall played out of the No. 3 spot in the longest match of contest. She kept it close through three sets against Celine Koets, eventually losing 6-7 (5-7), 6-4, 10-1.

Head Coach Dustin Hinson shared his thoughts, "I was really proud of the heart and class we showed at Idaho. Each player showed that they wanted it and they fought hard on each point. At the end of the day, we can hold our heads high and be ready to fight for the next one."

Worrall has come out victorious in three of her last four dual matches. She won all three in a row during last week's road trip in California. She currently owns an 11-6 singles record, the best on the team.

With only four total and two home matches remaining on the schedule, Eastern continues its schedule this weekend, hosting a league match against Southern Utah on Sunday, April 4, starting at 11 a.m. PST.

Southern Utah enters tomorrow's match with an overall record of 2-14 and 1-5 in conference. EWU defeated the Thunderbirds 6-1 in its matchup last season.

Results:

Eastern Washington – 1

Idaho – 6

Doubles:

1. Batiri, Ana/Barcenilla, Belen (UI) def. SMITH, Janaya/WORRALL, Faye (EWU) 6-2

2. Tavares, Maria/Bermudez, Rita (UI) vs. HEDBERG, Moira/SWINDELL, Rachel (EWU) 5-6, unfinished

3. Petrei, Marianna/Badillos, Lucia (UI) def. DOMINGO, Katrina/YOUNG, Dani (EWU) 7-5

Singles:

1. Petrei, Marianna (UI) def. HEDBERG, Moira (EWU) 6-1, 6-1

2. SMITH, Janaya (EWU) def. Bermudez, Rita (UI) 6-4, 6-1

3. Koets, Celine (UI) def. WORRALL, Faye (EWU) 6-7 (5-7), 6-4, 10-1

4. Barcenilla, Belen (UI) def. SWINDELL, Rachel (EWU) 6-0, 6-1

5. Tavares, Maria (UI) def. BLESSING, Erin (EWU) 6-4, 6-1

6. Badillos, Lucia (UI) def. YOUNG, Dani (EWU) 6-1, 6-0

Order of finish: Doubles (1,3); Singles (6,4,1,5,2,3)