Seiji Wood
Sports Editor
Just past midway in their season, both Idaho State tennis teams look to make a final push to make the conference tournament.
The men’s team is currently 7-8 and 4-2 in conference, and the women are 7-9 and 3-5 in conference. They are second and eighth place respectively in their conference. Only the top six qualify for the conference tournament held in Phoenix, Arizona.
Women’s tennis
So far the team has experienced a lot of tough losses, especially two 3-4 losses against conference opponents Northern Arizona and Montana.
“We had a few close losses, which we really wanted to win,” said junior Louise-Mare Botes. “We’ve had a few good matches as well, but it’s been those 3-4 losses that have counted against us this year.”
The team has a strong doubles lineup and has won a majority of their doubles points but struggle to clinch the match in the singles.
“We just can’t seem to put it together,” said head coach Gretchen Maloney. “The day we get the doubles point, we couldn’t play great singles, and when we wouldn’t get the doubles point, we maybe played a little better in singles, but we needed that other point.”
The team dynamic has also changed for the first time since most everyone came in together as freshmen back in 2016. During winter break, the team received notice that key player Huibre-Mare Botes wouldn’t be returning. Freshman Alex Arkhipov has done her best to fill the shoes of Botes.
“Alex has being helping us, but losing Huibre hurt us,” Maloney said.
Despite the early season struggles, the team has remained positive.
According to Maloney, the team is aware of the weaknesses in its game and what teammates need to work on to get better. They have the mindset that they can still improve.
“Even though we’ve had some tough losses, they are still willing to get back to the practice courts,” Maloney said. “I think their attitude and mindset has been really positive, even though it’s been a little disappointing. They’re still willing to work hard to get better.”
Throughout the season, there have been changes in the six-person lineup. Almost every position has changed at one point in the season, but making adjustments gives hope to pulling out match wins.
“At this point, we’re gonna win as a team or lose as a team,” Maloney said. “If I make a lineup change, it’s just to benefit the team.”
The expectations from both Maloney and Botes in the closing weeks of the season are to stay mentally strong and execute what they have been working on.
The team has only two conference games remaining against Southern Utah and Weber State to reach its full potential. Winning their last two conference matches will give the Bengals the best chance to make conference, but even then, they may need others in the conference above them to stumble.
Men’s tennis
The team is off to a strong start in conference play and looks to use its momentum to finish the season on a high note.
“They guys have competed really well the entire season,” said head coach Mark Rodel. “Overall, I’m very pleased.”
Rodel thinks the Bengals don’t have as many wins for how well they have competed but knows they are in a good position to make a possible appearance in the conference tournament for the first time since the 2016-17 season.
Part of the reason Idaho State is in that position is due to their play at home. The Bengals have managed to stay undefeated at home with a perfect 5-0 record.
“We practice on these courts every day, and that’s the biggest advantage,” Rodel said. “The guys feel comfortable. When we have a good team, we’re really difficult to beat at home.”
The team’s results may be a surprise to others in the conference, since they’re performing this well with only six players on the roster.
They’ve managed to stay healthy and consistent, which has helped them be competitive in every match. The chemistry of the team is palpable to all who watch.
“We’re only six players, but we’re basically six best friends,” said freshman Fynn Lohse. “We’re incredible players. We just have to get it on the court, and I think that self-confidence grows by supporting each other in practice and then in the games.”
Lohse mentioned that it has helped him and other fellow newcomers — freshman Lukas Ridemar and junior transfer Gary Rendek — that the three seniors have 100 percent trust in them to win their matches.
Not only has the chemistry and trust of the team been a plus for the team, but the setup of their lineup has also been managed extremely well. A lot of changes were made earlier in the season in both singles and doubles, and it seems to have paid off now at this point in the season.
Nationally-ranked doubles team, Peter Trhac and David Felix, were split up, which may sound unwise, but the move has only benefited the team.
In the Big Sky conference, the team has won four out of five doubles points, Rodel said.
“We had one exceptionally strong team at the top and obviously three newcomers,” Rodel said. “We were just too top heavy and so we had to split it up. If you look at our track record, I’ve been very pleased.”
The Bengals have four conference matches remaining and can grab a possible conference tournament spot with solid performances in those matches.
“Our coach told us we have a chance to go deep in the conference tournament,” Lohse said. “But we have to get there first.”
