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Women’s tennis cruises through weekend
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The Boise State men’s tennis team isn’t the only tennis team turning heads in Boise this season. With two wins this past weekend the BSU women’s tennis team finds itself climbing the national ranks and garnering national attention having won four of its last five duals.
Sunday the women defeated the Pacific University Tigers 6- and knocked off rival Idaho 7-0 on Friday at the Appleton Tennis Center to improve to 9-2 overall. The Broncos are now rank No. 45 nationally, which they know can play a pivotal role in their postseason future down the road.
“It means a lot,” Bronco Head Coach Mark Tichenor said. “The last couple of bids in the NCAA are usually with teams between that No. 42-48 area and we’re right there.”
With great weather on their side Sunday against Pacific the women were able to capture the doubles point and excelled, winning five of six singles points to triumph over the Tigers. Senior Tiffany Coll teamed with Polina Kokoulina to shutout Vana Mrazovic and Svenja Arens 8-0.
In singles Stacey Housley made quick work of Sasha Fisher 6-2 and 6-2 to collect her team-leading 21 win on the season.
“We feel really good about how we competed,” Tichenor said.
“The girls are really excelling and doing some great things to get noticed.”
Last Friday the Bronco women overcame light rain showers and overcast skies to sweep Idaho 7-0 and improve to 8-2 on the season. Boise State came out hot and never cooled off despite the cooler weather.
Playing the No. 1 doubles, Laura Baum and Jana Mackova broke the serve of the Vandal’s Patricia Ruman and Mariel Tinirello three times to secure the 8-3 victory. Baum and Mackova have been solid for the Broncos all season long.
When teaming up the two sophomores have accumulated an 18-3 record.
The Broncos have been impressive so far this season beating quality opponents such as No. 38 New Mexico, 5-2, No. 61 Nevada, 6-1, and No. 63 Kansas State, 5-2. Boise State has fallen twice this season to No. 20 Wichita State and No. 26 Oregon.
“We’ve got to look at how we play in matches and improve,” Tichenor said. “We’ve improved a lot from our first loss to Wichita State.”
For Tichenor and his team they are just glad to be home. Boise State has not played a home match since early last November. Homecourt advantage is something the Broncos are glad to have.
“When you play on the road, you have to be better than your opponent,” Tichenor said. “You can’t be equal to them; you can’t be lesser than them. It’s fun for people to come out and see us, and you can certainly tell the girls have an extra bounce in their step.”
After securing the doubles point, the women certainly used that extra bounce to capture all six available singles points with straight set victories.
Polina Kokoulina got things rolling with the No. 1 spot with a 6-2 and 6-2 victory over Patricia Ruman.
The win helped Kokoulina improve to 2-2 on the season. The Broncos shook things up moving Bianca Jochimsen down to the No. 2 singles spot.
The freshman came through collecting the straight set victory over Mariel Tinnirello 6-2 and 6-1.
“We feel really good about where we’re at,” Tichenor said.
“These girls give it everything they’ve got every match and I know we’ve surprised some people this year.”
The women hope to continue their ascent in the national rankings next weekend when they travel to Seattle, Wash., on Friday March 23 to battle Washington and then against Gonzaga on Saturday March 24.
TATE CASTLETON
Sports Writer
