PHOENIX, Ariz. -- Southern Utah women's tennis team defeated Idaho State 4-2 in Phoenix, Ariz. in the Quarterfinals match to claim a spot in the Big Sky tournament semifinals.

Idaho State came out strong in the doubles competition, and despite a win in the No. 1 spot by Ghita Nassik and Mikala Lowrance, the Bengals were able to claim the doubles point.

The first match that ended was the No. 1 spot when Ghita Nassik defeated Huibre-Mare Botes 6-1, 6-3 to put Southern Utah even with Idaho State, 1-1 overall. Charity Sagiao finished right after with a win in the No. 4 spot in a two set match, 6-2, 6-4.

Eira Tobrand made an important win for the Thunderbirds in a close contest, taking the three set match 2-6, 6-3, 7-5, making the score 3-1.

Idaho State responded in the No. 6 spot with their last win of the match, making the overall score 3-2.

Finally, to solidify the win for the T-Birds, Zoe Tanti came away with a win in a very close contest in the No. 3 spot, 7-5, 3-6, 7-6(8-6).

The match in the No. 5 spot went unfinished, ending the match at 4-2.

Words From Coach Ketmayura

After the quarterfinal match was over, head coach Rose Ketmayura commented, "The girls battle so hard in singles. We were up and down in the doubles with nerves, but now the first round jitters are out. I couldn't be more proud of them. I saw the most heart and soul giving tennis. I didn't think they had learned how to do that yet because of the inexperience. They keep surprising me in the best way possible."

Big Sky Championship: Opponent Preview

The University of Idaho Vandals currently post a record of 13-6 after finishing off last season with an overall mark of 16 wins and eight losses. Made up wholly of international talent, the Vandals house players from Taiwan, Spain, Portugal, Australia and Italy. Four of the seven rostered players are underclassmen.

Maria Tavares from Portugal posts the leading record in the singles competition with a mark of 14 wins and four losses. Not far behind her is teammate Marianna Petrei from Italy with 13 wins and three losses. Two other players post double digit wins on the season.

In the doubles competition, Laura Spataro and Lucia Badillos lead with an 9-2 record with Martha Magalhaes and Maggie Chen right behind them marking seven wins and one loss. Maria Tavares and Marianna Petrei post a 7-3 record currently.

Babar Akbar, a native of Islamabad, Pakistan, enters his second season at Idaho. He helped coach the Vandals to their third straight Big Sky championship in 2017, and four straight appearances in the NCAA Tournament. Idaho had three players earn individual All-Conference honors, including Marianna Petrei's second consecutive MVP honor.

Coming Up Next

Next up the Thunderbirds will play the University of Idaho in the Semifinal match at 10:30 a.m. (PT) in Phoenix, Ariz.

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Follow the Thunderbirds all season @SUUWTennis on Twitter and Instagram and by liking the Southern Utah Women's Tennis page on Facebook.

Read all about the Thunderbirds sports on www.suutbirds.com.

Southern Utah University vs Idaho State

Apr 26, 2018 at Phoenix, Ariz.

(Phoenix Tennis Center)

Southern Utah University 4, Idaho State 2

Singles competition

1. NASSIK, Ghita (SUU) def. BOTES, Huibre-Mare (ISU) 6-1, 6-3

2. TOBRAND, Eira (SUU) def. BOTES, Louise-Mare (ISU) 2-6, 6-3, 7-5

3. TANTI, Zoe (SUU) def. CVETKOVIC, Hristina (ISU) 7-5, 3-6, 7-6 (8-6)

4. SAGIAO, Charity (SUU) def. COBURN, Melissa (ISU) 6-2, 6-4

5. POE, Megan (ISU) vs. NGO, Alexandra (SUU) 5-7, 4-3, unfinished

6. WALKER, Angela (ISU) def. COZZI, Daniela (SUU) 6-2, 7-5

Doubles competition

1. NASSIK, Ghita/LOWRANCE, Mikala (SUU) def. CVETKOVIC, Hristina/POE, Megan (ISU) 6-3

2. BOTES, Huibre-Mare/BOTES, Louise-Mare (ISU) def. TANTI, Zoe/TOBRAND, Eira (SUU) 7-5

3. COBURN, Melissa/FENSKE, Madison (ISU) def. SAGIAO, Charity/NGO, Alexandra (SUU) 7-6 (7-3)

Match Notes:

Southern Utah University 14-9

Idaho State 9-13

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