University of Idaho Men’s Tennis Falls 7-0 to Northern Arizona in Final Regular Season Match
MOSCOW, Idaho — The University of Idaho Men’s Tennis team closed out its regular season with a 7-0 loss to Northern Arizona University on April 19, 2026, in a road match that highlighted the physical toll the season has taken on the Vandal roster.
The final score left Idaho with an overall record of 8-17 on the season, while NAU — the regular-season Big Sky Conference champions — improved to 16-5. The match was played on NAU’s home courts, and the Brave and Bold of Northern Arizona controlled the contest from start to finish.
Injuries Define the Day for Idaho
The Vandals entered the contest already battling significant health challenges, with four players dealing with injuries heading into the match. The situation grew worse during doubles play, when an additional Idaho player sustained a shoulder injury, leaving the team with just five healthy athletes available for singles competition.
Forced to enter singles play with only five of nine roster spots filled, Idaho was required to forfeit the six-spot, putting the team in a 2-0 hole before a singles ball was struck. The automatic forfeit, combined with the momentum NAU had already established in doubles play, made the path back nearly impossible for the short-handed Vandals.
Despite the adversity, Idaho’s players who took the court competed with determination. Freshman Valentine Glasl and sophomore Noe De Col each pushed their NAU opponents deep into their respective matches, with both forcing third sets before ultimately coming up short. The efforts of Glasl and De Col stood out as bright spots in an otherwise difficult afternoon for the program.
The order of finish saw NAU claim the doubles point followed by singles victories at positions six, three, two, one, four, and five, completing the 7-0 sweep.
Looking Ahead to the Big Sky Conference Tournament
While the regular season ended on a difficult note, Idaho’s season is not yet over. The Vandals will remain in Arizona to rest and recover before entering the Big Sky Conference Tournament. Idaho is scheduled to compete beginning April 23 at 8 a.m. in Phoenix, Arizona, where they will face No. 4 seed Montana State in the opening round.
The team’s priority in the days between the regular-season finale and the tournament opener will be restoring health to a roster that has been physically depleted throughout the latter portion of the season. Entering a conference tournament with a healthy lineup could significantly change the dynamics for a team that has shown competitive fight even in difficult circumstances.
The Vandals’ ability to push opponents to third sets — even while shorthanded and injured — reflects the resilience that has characterized Idaho’s approach throughout a challenging campaign. Glasl and De Col, in particular, demonstrated the kind of competitive toughness that gives the program reason for optimism heading into postseason play.
The Big Sky Conference tournament represents Idaho’s opportunity to finish the year on a stronger note than the regular season record suggests. A healthy roster against Montana State could produce a different result than what fans witnessed on Sunday in Flagstaff.
For more on University of Idaho athletics and Vandal sports coverage, visit our coverage of the Vandals’ battle with the Broncos, and don’t miss how the Vandals made school history at Long Beach earlier this season.
Fans can follow the Vandals on Facebook, Instagram, and X for live updates throughout the conference tournament.
What Comes Next
The University of Idaho Men’s Tennis team is set to open Big Sky Conference Tournament play on April 23 at 8 a.m. in Phoenix, Arizona, against No. 4 seed Montana State. The outcome of that match will determine whether Idaho’s season continues into the later rounds of the tournament. For statewide sports and education coverage, visit Idaho News.