PORTLAND, Ore. – The Portland State women's tennis team will play Boise State this Saturday, Feb. 18, at the Tualatin Hills Tennis Center (10 am), in its final non-conference dual before Big Sky play begins next week.Â
The Vikings are looking to get back on track when they face the Broncos on Saturday, entering with a 4-5 overall record. A hot start to the season led PSU to a 3-1 mark, but injuries have plagued the team over the past few weeks. Last Friday, the Vikings nearly defeated Nevada but fell 4-3 despite playing shorthanded. Back with a full lineup on Sunday, the Vikings fell to crosstown rival Portland 6-1.
Leading the Vikings with four singles wins each are Nika Beukers, Makoto Ohara and Elizabeth Strongina. Beukers has found her groove after a 1-2 start to her sophomore season. The Netherlands native has won three of her last four, two of those coming at the No. 4 spot. Also gaining momentum is Strongina, as she enters Saturday with a 4-3 record. The Russia native won four-straight singles matches against Linfield, UC Irvine, UC Riverside and Nevada, including her first career win at No. 1 singles against UC Riverside's Maya Youssef (6-2, 6-2) on Feb. 6. Â
Ohara had a hot start to her junior season, posting a 4-2 record in the opening six matches before being sidelined by injury last weekend. The Fujisawa, Japan native won back-to-back Big Sky Player of the Week honors to open the season and holds a 2-1 record at both the No. 5 and No. 6 positions.
As a group, the Vikings are 14-11 in doubles, securing the opening point in five of their nine duals so far. Partners Emily Rees and Nell Arendt lead the Vikings with a 4-3 record, earning three wins at No. 2 and one at the No. 1 position. Â
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Boise State (5-3) at Portland State (4-5)
When: Saturday, Feb. 18 | 10am
Where: Tualatin Hills Tennis Center (Beaverton, Ore.)
All-Time Series: Broncos lead, 6-0
Last Meeting: March 5, 2022 (L, 6-1)
Live Stats
Portland State is looking for its first-ever win over the Broncos on Saturday. Boise State enters the dual with a 5-3 record after falling in its match against Oregon on Friday, 6-1. The Broncos have won two of their last three duals and enter Saturday's matchup with a 25-12 singles mark and 13-5 doubles record.
