PORTLAND, Ore. – The Portland State women's tennis team will kick off its 2022 Big Sky slate on the road this weekend. The Vikings will take on Idaho State in Pocatello on Friday (1 p.m. PT) before battling Weber State in Ogden on Sunday (10 a.m. PT).

PSU heads into conference play at 4-4 following eight non-conference duals to open the season. Three of the Viking's four losses have come down to a single point, including last Friday's 4-3 loss to Pac-12 foe, Colorado.

The Vikings clinched the opening point over the Buffs but were unable to pick up three singles victories to secure the win. Maddie Egan earned a 6-3, 6-4 win at No. 6 before Capu Sanoner picked up the final victory of the day for the Vikings at No. 1 (7-5, 6-3).

On Tuesday, Sanoner was named the Big Sky Women's Tennis Player of the Week for the second consecutive week following her 2-0 performance over CU. The Sophomore heads into conference play with three career Big Sky Weekly Honors under her belt. 

Since its season-opening loss to Oregon, Portland State has won all seven doubles points while outscoring their opponents 31-12. Nika Beukers and Sanoner are 5-1 at the No. 1 spot, earning wins in their last five matches. Emily Rees and Mariajose Hernandez Coronado lead the group with a 6-0 record this season, four of those coming at the No. 2 position.

Beukers has been solid through eight matches for the Vikings despite a singles loss in her last outing. The freshman is a combined 11-3, with seven wins coming in doubles play. Clinging to a 4-2 record in singles, Beukers has earned wins at four different positions heading into the conference opener.

Also recording four singles wins so far are Egan and Hernandez Coronado. Egan has won three-straight matches while Hernandez Coronado has earned victories in two of her last three.

SCOUTING IDAHO STATE

After finishing 8-8 in 2021, the Bengals (4-1) are off to a solid start this season. They've swept Dixie State, Colorado Mesa, and the College of Idaho while also topping Utah State 4-3. ISU has won three straight since losing its only match of the season to Utah 5-2. The Bengals were picked eighth in the 2022 Big Sky Preseason Poll.

Friday will be the first meeting between the two teams since March 7, 2020, when the Vikings earned a 6-1 win over the Bengals. PSU trails the all-time series 8-11.

SCOUTING WEBER STATE

After going 8-11 last season, the Wildcats entered 2022 picked second in the Big Sky preseason poll. They enter the weekend sitting at 4-4, earning wins over Nevada and Colorado Mesa in their last two duals. The Wildcats will take on Northern Arizona on Friday before hosting the Vikings on Sunday.

Portland State trails the all-time series 3-16. Weber State has won five in a row, the last victory coming in 2019, 6-1.