Women’s tennis swept by Vandals

Friday, April 13

Missoula, Mont.

9 AM

Montana

Idaho

4/13/2018 1:21:00 PM | Women's Tennis

Box Score

By: Montana Sports Information

Montana freshman Julia Ronney put in a gritty performance in her first college dual against the best player in the Big Sky Conference, but it wasn't enough to slow down the defending champion Idaho Vandals, who defeated the Griz 7-0 in straight sets Friday morning in Missoula.

The loss drops Montana to 7-14 on the season and 3-6 in Big Sky play, essentially eliminating them from contention for a place in the conference championship later this month. Idaho continues their march back to the league championship with a 10-6 (7-1 BSC) record.

"Idaho is a really good team, and I'm proud of the way we played," said head coach Steve Ascher. "Julia did a great job of keeping her composure and responding to tough situations. She found ways to score points when she needed them most, and that was great to see."

Ronney pushed Idaho's Marianna Petrei – the defending Big Sky MVP who had been ranked as high as No. 44 in the nation this season – in both sets, holding leads early before Petrei's experience came through for a 6-3, 7-5 win.

Ronney, a San Diego native who has featured at the top of UM's lineup since she arrived in Missoula in the fall, is now 5-3 in league play and the only freshman to sit in the Big Sky's top-five performers on singles court one.

The Grizzlies started strong against the Vandals in the doubles round, with Ronney and Lidia Dukic holding a 5-4 lead on court three when the point was called in Idaho's favor with a close 4-6 win by UI's Badillos/Spataro pair over Catherine Orfanos and Nathalie Joanlanne.

Montana's troubles compounded early in the singles round as the Vandals rattled off two quick wins over Cam Kincaid on court two (6-0, 6-1) and Bianca Bostrom on court four (6-1, 6-4) to give Idaho a 3-0 lead.

With Idaho needing only one more win to seal the match, Ronney did her best to change the momentum of the match, looking for an upset over Petrei, but it was not to be as UI sealed the win with the victory on court four.

The Grizzlies final homestand of the year continues on Saturday morning against Northern Colorado, scheduled for a 9 a.m. start at the Peak Racquet Club south of Missoula.

Montana then caps the season on Sunday afternoon against Eastern Washingon at 2 p.m. Kincaid and Orfanos, Montana's two seniors will be celebrated on senior day.