Women's Tennis can't continue Doubles momentum vs. Idaho

GREELEY -- The Northern Colorado women's tennis team fought a close battle with nonconference rival Idaho on Saturday but fell to the Vandals 4-3 at Work Out West.

The Bears (1-4) started the dual strong, capturing the doubles point by winning at the Nos. 1 and 2 positions. But they were only able to capture two singles points in falling to the Vandals.

Northern Colorado's No. 1 doubles team of Stephanie Catlin and Elizabeth Tapia battled to win in a tiebreaker against Beatriz Flores and Alejandra Lozano, 9-8.

Jennifer Whateley and Adriana Nieto then defeated Molly Knox and Victoria Lozano in a decisive 8-4 victory.

"We had an awesome match today—it was a real dog fight to the end," Bears coach Brenda Vlasak said. "I am proud of the girls for continuously stepping up to the competition and meeting it head on."

In singles play, Nieto, a sophomore, had the closest match and defeated Knox in a three-set battle, 2-6, 7-5, 6-2.

The Bears' third and final win came at the No. 5 position with sophomore Jennifer Buchanan beating Victoria Lozano 6-3, 6-3.

"We are improving steadily every match, and I feel like we will be ready once we reach more conference play," Vlasak said.

Vlasak and the Bears will continue their nonconference action at 10 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 25, when they travel to Colorado to take on the Buffaloes in Boulder.

Idaho 4, Northern Colorado 3

Doubles
1. Stephanie Catlin/Elizabeth Tapia (NC) def. Beatriz Flores/Alejandra Lozano, 9-8
2. Jennifer Whateley/Adriana Nieto (NC) def. Victoria Lozano/Molly Knox, 8-4
3. Sophie Vickers/Almudena Sanz (Idaho) def. Jennifer Buchanan/Chrissy Hoolahan, 8-1

Singles
1. Alejandra Lozano (Idaho) def. Whateley, 6-1 6-1
2. Sanz (Idaho) def. Tapia, 6-2 6-2
3. Nieto (NC) def. Knox, 2-6 7-5 6-2
4. Vickers (Idaho) def. Catlin, 6-2 6-2
5. Buchanan (NC) def. V. Lozano, 6-3 6-3
6. Flores (Idaho) def. Hoolahan, 6-3 6-4