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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

College tennis: Idaho’s Marianna Petrei named Big Sky women’s MVP

OGDEN, Utah – Idaho freshman Marianna Petrei was named Big Sky Conference women’s tennis Most Valuable Player, the conference announced Friday.

Petrei, playing exclusively at No. 1 singles, finished 11-0 in conference play and will carry a 22-2 mark into an NCAA tournament opener at Pepperdine on Friday. Petrei also teamed with sophomore Lucia Badillos for a 7-1 mark in Big Sky doubles and 14-1 overall.

The Vandals, fresh off their second consecutive conference championships, also placed senior Belen Barcenilla on the first team, freshman Maria Tavares on the second team and Badillos on honorable mention.

Idaho’s men placed senior Odon Barta and sophomore Felipe Fonseca on the first team. Sophomore Mark Kovacs was a second-team selection.

Barta, the 2015 Big Sky Player of the Year, finished the spring 14-9 overall and 7-4 in the conference.

Eastern Washington junior Robert Dula was selected to the first team for a third consecutive season. Despite being sidelined by an injury for the majority of the season, Dula started his season 8-0 before having to retire in his ninth match.

Big Sky Player of the Year Nathan Boniel (19-1) of Portland State lost to Dula 4-6, 6-4, 7-5 on Feb. 20.