Idaho spoils home debut of Nicholls women’s tennis team with 6-1 win

The Nicholls women’s tennis team lost their home debut Friday afternoon, falling to Idaho 6-1 at the Thibodaux Regional Tennis Complex.

The loss evened Nicholls’ record at 1-1. The Lady Colonels opened the season two days earlier with a win at Loyola of New Orleans.

Nicholls’ lone point against Idaho came in singles play with a win by Sofia Sara Safarova. Playing at No. 3 singles, she defeated Saffron Dowse 6-3, 6-1.

“Our goal is to play to the best of our ability each time we step on the court. We’ll learn from each match and continue to improve individually and as a team,” Nicholls coach Greg Harkins said.

Three of the singles matches went to a third set, including the match at No. 1 between Valentina Rodas and QianYu Liu. Rodas topped Liu, 6-7, 7-6, 11-9.

In another match that went three sets, Idaho’s Diana Khaydarshina beat Aada Inna of Nicholls, 6-7, 6-4, 10-5 at No. 4 singles.

The final match to go three sets came at No. 6 singles where Ida Johansson defeated Dareen Hassan of Nicholls, 6-3, 5-7, 6-2.

Idaho’s Naomi Schraeder downed Carla Bouygues, 6-1, 6-3, at No. 5 singles.

Nicholls was unable to secure a point in doubles play, winning one of three matches.

The Nicholls No. 1 duo of Inna and Grinberg defeated Rodas and Schraeder, 6-3.

At No. 2, the Idaho team of Johansson and Dowse beat Liu and Safarova, 6-1.

The No. 3 Idaho doubles team of Rachelle Starreveld and Lena Beckx defeated the Nicholls duo of Betija Dusele and Constanza Cruz, 6-0.