USAFA, Colorado- The Idaho State women's tennis team completed their annual trip to the United States Air Force Academy in Colorado this past weekend as they competed against other schools including: Air Force, Boise State, BYU, Colorado State, Denver, Idaho, Montana State, New Mexico, Utah State, Wyoming for an individual draw in both singles and doubles play.
Idaho State's play was highlighted by Asem Shoybek and Stefanya Shalakhova bringing home the championship win in the doubles White draw.
Beginning with doubles play Idaho State had four pairs of doubles competing. In the Blue draw we saw the tandem of Sol O'Lideadha and Lola O'Lideadha roll through their first two doubles matchups with an 8-3 win in round 1 and a 8-6 win in round 2, however, the twins were unable to make it out of the quarterfinals, falling 6-4. In the playoff bracket the O'Lideadha twins downed their semi-final matchups 6-3 and in the finals they fell 1-8.
Also in the Blue draw was the duo of Hana Cho and Sydney Morris. Cho and Morris defeated their opening round match after a tough tiebreaker, 8-7 (7-4), but would be unable to come back in the round of 16, falling 3-8. In the consolation bracket Morris and Cho came back with a vengeance, winning their next two matches 7-6, and 6-4, but would fall in the consolation semi-finals 4-8.
In the White draw the Bengals had the team of Asem Shoybek and Stefanya Shalakhova run through the competition, downing their first two matchups both by a score of 8-5 and in the White draw championship they cruised to the title, winning 6-1.
Also in the Blue draw was the pairing of Olivia Mikkelson and Megan Lang-Gould. Mikkelson and Lang-Gould fell in the opening round 6-8, and then fell in the consolation bracket 5-8.
In singles play the Bengals had eight players competing in five different draws.
In the Alpha bracket, we saw Asem Shoybek win her first-round matchup 7-5, 2-2 (opponent retired due to injury), but fall in the second round 7-6 (7-2), 1-6, 4-6. She would get another match in the consolation side of the bracket but fell in her first consolation match 4-6, 5-7.
In the Bravo bracket Hana Cho and Lola O'Lideadha represented ISU proudly. Cho won her first-round match 7-5, 7-5, but would fall in the second round 2-6, 6-4, 6-7 (2-7). O'Lideadha lost her first-round match 4-6, 0-6, but would win her first consolation match 7-5, 6-1. In her second consolation match she would, for the second time this season, face off against teammate Hana Cho. And, for the second time this season, Cho would go on to win in straight sets 6-2, 6-2. Cho would go on to lose in the consolation semi-finals in three sets 6-7 (4-7), 6-4, 4-10.
Sol O'Lideadha and Stefanya Shalakhova were in the Charlie bracket for Idaho State. Sol O'Lideadha downed her first-round opponent in three sets 4-6, 6-4, 6-4, but fell in the second round 3-6, 6-7 (4-7). In the consolation bracket O'Lideadha won her first match 6-4, 4-6, 7-6 (26-24), Shalakhova would lose her first-round match 1-6, 1-6, but would turn it around in the consolation bracket, winning 2-6, 6-4, 10-8, and would then down her second-round opponent 6-0, 4-6, 12-10. In the consolation semi-finals Shalakhova and O'Lideadha faced off against each other, O'Lideadha getting the better of her teammate 6-3, 6-3. O'Lideadha advanced to her consolation bracket finals, but was unable to finish it off, falling in three sets 6-3, 4-6, 5-10.
In the Delta bracket for ISU was Megan Lang-Gould. Lang-Gould defeated her first opponent in round one 6-4, 6-3, but lost in three sets in the second-round 4-6, 6-3, 2-6. In the consolation bracket Lang-Gould fell 3-6, 6-1, 6-10.
In the Echo bracket was Sydney Morris and Olivia Mikkelson. Morris lost her opening match 5-7, 1-6. In the consolation side Morris was able to defeat her first opponent 6-0, 7-6 (7-5), but fell in the second match 6-2, 3-6 (6-10). Mikkelson also dropped her opening match 3-6, 2-6, but would win her first consolation match 6-2, 6-3, and fell in her consolation bracket semi-finals 4-6, 1-6.
Head coach Gretchen Maloney shared her thoughts on the team's second tournament this fall, "Overall, we had a great four days with a ton of matches. This tournament always challenges us because there is a high level of tennis with all 11 teams. It gets us into match shape pretty fast. The highlight of the weekend would be our doubles play. The girls are settling in with their partnerships and playing really aggressive doubles."
The Idaho State women's tennis team has one their next tournament at Boise State this upcoming weekend September 22nd through September 24th.
