University of Idaho Women’s Tennis Season Ends in Arizona with Big Sky Semifinal Loss to Sacramento State
PHOENIX, Ariz. — The University of Idaho Women’s Tennis team saw its 2025-26 season come to a close Thursday after falling to Sacramento State 1-4 in the semifinals of the Big Sky Conference Tournament in Phoenix. The Vandals finished the year at 11-11 overall and 4-4 in Big Sky Conference play.
Idaho had advanced to the semifinal round with a dominant performance over Eastern Washington in the first round before facing the Sacramento State Hornets, who entered the match as the top seed in the bracket after receiving a first-round bye. The Hornets came into the semifinal carrying an 18-5 record and were ranked among the stronger programs in the conference heading into the postseason.
Sacramento State Controls Doubles, Sets the Tone Early
Sacramento State wasted no time establishing control of the match, taking the doubles point in two completed matches. The Hornets earned a 6-2 victory at the second doubles position, where the pair of Ida Johansson and Hanna Koprowska fell to the Sacramento State tandem. The third doubles position also went to the Hornets by the same 6-2 score, with Valentina Rodas and Chenyue Xu unable to turn the tide. At the first doubles position, Jessica Matthews and Naomi Schraeder were locked in a 4-4 draw before play was halted once the doubles point was decided. Holding the early 1-0 advantage, Sacramento State carried momentum into singles competition.
Junior Ida Johansson delivered the lone bright spot for Idaho in the match, stepping onto court four and producing one of the most dominant individual performances of the day. Johansson posted a shutout in the first set before claiming the second by a 6-4 margin, defeating Sacramento State’s Cami Maldonado and temporarily evening the overall score at 1-1. It was a standout effort from the junior, who reminded observers of Idaho’s potential heading into future seasons.
Hornets Pull Away, Claim Semifinal Berth
With the match squared at 1-1 following Johansson’s victory, Sacramento State got into a rhythm and took three consecutive singles matches to clinch the semifinal win and a spot in the conference title match. Emilija Pranyte defeated Valentina Rodas at court five, and Irene Riva topped Naomi Schraeder at court three. Lou Baudouin secured the clinching point with a 7-5, 7-5 victory over Hanna Koprowska at court two. Two additional matches at courts one and six were left unfinished once Sacramento State clinched. The Hornets will advance to face Northern Arizona in the championship match on Saturday.
For the Vandals, the season ends with a 1-4 loss but also with several moments worth noting from the full year. Idaho finished 4-4 in Big Sky Conference regular season play and earned a notable scalp earlier in the year — a win over Sacramento State in Moscow, at a time when the Hornets were ranked No. 58 nationally. That victory underscored the competitive ability this squad demonstrated throughout the season.
Senior Valentina Rodas concludes her career with the program following the tournament exit. Rodas was among the players mentioned in the final match report, having competed at both the doubles and singles positions during the semifinal. Her contributions to the program over her career represent the kind of dedication and competitive spirit that defines Vandal athletics.
The University of Idaho’s athletic programs continue to compete at a high level within the Big Sky Conference. Fans interested in more from Vandal athletics can follow recent coverage, including Idaho’s first-round victory over Eastern Washington at the Big Sky Championships, which set the stage for Thursday’s semifinal appearance. For more on campus and community events surrounding the university, readers can also look ahead to the inaugural Moscow Furniture Show, set to be hosted at the University of Idaho on May 2.
What Comes Next
With the 2025-26 season officially concluded, Idaho Women’s Tennis will turn its attention to offseason preparation, roster evaluation, and recruiting. The program returns a core group of experienced players, including several juniors and sophomores who gained meaningful postseason experience in Phoenix. Fans and supporters of Vandal athletics can follow the team’s offseason activity through the University of Idaho’s official athletics channels on Instagram and X. For statewide sports and education news, visit Idaho News and the Idaho News Network.